Morocco commences construction of US$140M Agadir Atlantic Hub Dry Port
MOROCCO – Morocco has commenced the construction of a US$140 million Agadir Atlantic Hub dry port, a project aimed to bolster Morocco’s logistics infrastructure and alleviating congestion in the nation’s coastal shipping facilities.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held on January 20, was presided over by Morocco’s Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch.
Strategically located within the export free zone of Drarga commune, the dry port spans 100 hectares, making it the largest logistics initiative in the Souss-Massa region. The facility is designed to streamline import and export processes, thereby reducing the burden on existing maritime ports.
Driss Boutti, president of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) for the Souss-Massa region, highlighted the project’s significance;
“A dry port is a logistics infrastructure located inland, equipped with all the functionalities of a maritime port but without direct access to the sea,” Boutti noted.
The Agadir Atlantic Hub will feature an international customs-bonded logistics zone, conditioning stations with refrigerated and dry storage facilities, an administrative area housing customs and ONSSA (National Office for Food Safety) offices, a container storage park for both empty and full containers, and a cabotage line connecting maritime ports to the dry port.
The signing ceremony also saw the inauguration of the new Drarga 3 industrial zone, covering 27.11 hectares, and the unveiling of a new glove production facility by Meditech Gloves, representing an investment of MAD 461 million (US$46.1 million).
The project is expected to create approximately 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, significantly boosting the local economy.
Transport and Logistics Minister Abdessamad Kayouh emphasized that the dry port is part of a broader strategy to enhance infrastructure in the Souss-Massa region.
In addition, the project is poised to boost Morocco’s grain import strategy, as the country heavily relies on imports, primarily wheat.
The USDA estimates that Morocco will import a record 7.5 million tonnes of wheat in 2024/2025 to meet domestic demand, where per capita consumption is among the highest globally at 288 kg per year.
Recently, Morocco formalized an agreement to enhance soft wheat imports from Russia to ensure stable grain supplies amid fluctuating international markets.
On November 29, Omar Yacoubi, president of the National Federation of Grain and Legume Traders (FNCL), and Eduard Zernin, president of the Russian Union of Grain Exporters and Producers (Rusgrain Union), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Casablanca to strengthen bilateral trade in grains and legumes, a key area of strategic interest for both nations.
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