Morocco is constructing a major deep-water port in Dakhla, located in the disputed Western Sahara region. The project, officially launched in 2021, aims to transform the city into a strategic Atlantic hub for trade and fishing. According to official reports, the port will have a capacity of 25 million tons of goods per year and will include a container terminal, a fishing port, and a ship repair area.
The construction is part of Morocco's broader development plan for the southern provinces, which includes investments in infrastructure, energy, and tourism. The port is expected to be completed by 2028, with an estimated cost of 12.5 billion Moroccan dirhams (about $1.2 billion). It will be connected to the national road network and the future high-speed rail line.
However, the project has faced criticism from human rights groups and the Polisario Front, which claims sovereignty over Western Sahara. The United Nations considers Western Sahara a non-self-governing territory, and the port's construction is seen by some as a move to consolidate Moroccan control. Despite this, Morocco continues to promote the port as a key driver of economic growth for the region.
