Morocco's Dakhla Atlantic port project, officially launched in 2021, is a major infrastructure initiative designed to transform the economic landscape of the Western Sahara region. The port, located near the city of Dakhla, is expected to handle up to 35 million tons of cargo annually by 2030, according to official projections from Morocco's National Ports Agency (ANP).
The project is part of Morocco's broader strategy to develop its southern provinces and strengthen its geopolitical position in the Atlantic. The port will serve as a hub for fishing, mining, and agricultural exports, as well as a gateway for trade with sub-Saharan Africa. The total investment is estimated at around 1.2 billion euros.
Construction began in 2022, with the first phase expected to be operational by 2028. The port will include container terminals, a fishing port, and facilities for bulk cargo. The project is backed by the Moroccan government and is seen as a key element of the country's National Port Strategy 2030.
Geopolitically, the port reinforces Morocco's claim over Western Sahara, a disputed territory. The project has drawn criticism from the Polisario Front and Algeria, but Morocco maintains it is a purely economic development initiative. The port is also expected to create thousands of jobs and boost local economic activity in the Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab region.
