Construction of Morocco's Dakhla Atlantic Port has reached 62% overall completion, bringing the kingdom closer to delivering one of its most ambitious infrastructure projects and a future logistics gateway expected to strengthen trade links between Morocco, Africa, and international markets.
Speaking to Assahifa Arabic, Nissrine Iouzi, director of the temporary agency responsible for overseeing the project, said work is progressing steadily across all major components of the port, with several key structures approaching completion.
Among the most advanced elements is the maritime bridge connecting the mainland to the port's offshore facilities, which has reached approximately 85% completion. According to Iouzi, construction teams are currently carrying out the final works on the structure after nearly 18 months of continuous construction.
She described the bridge as one of the project's essential components, serving as the main link between land-based infrastructure and maritime facilities, while efforts increasingly focus on accelerating progress on other major marine structures.
Current works are centered on large-scale land reclamation operations and the installation of massive concrete units designed to protect the port from waves and ocean currents. These structures are considered crucial to ensuring the long-term stability and safety of the facility.
Iouzi noted that the production, transportation, and installation of the concrete units require specialized expertise and heavy equipment due to their size and strategic role within the port's protection system.
The main breakwater, regarded as the backbone of the port's maritime protection infrastructure, has reached around 80% completion. Iouzi said this reflects substantial progress achieved in recent months on one of the most technically complex aspects of the project.
She added that the breakwater will play a vital role in protecting the port basins and ensuring safe conditions for vessel traffic, docking operations, and cargo handling activities once the port becomes operational.
Meanwhile, development of the platform areas designated for industrial, logistics, and service activities has reached approximately 50% completion across a total area of nearly 57 hectares. The works include grading, preparation, and development of sites that will host future storage, industrial, and logistics facilities.
Construction of the port's two main basins is also progressing steadily, with both expected to be completed during the current month. The basins will form a key part of the port's operational infrastructure by accommodating commercial vessels, fishing fleets, and maritime service activities.
The second phase of the project has reached roughly 20% completion, with work on additional platform areas expected to be finalized later this year. Engineering and technical teams are continuing efforts to maintain the project's overall construction schedule.
According to Iouzi, public institutions, engineering consultancies, contractors, and specialized companies remain engaged in daily coordination to monitor progress and address technical challenges. She stressed that the pace of work remains consistent with the project's planned timeline.
Official projections indicate that the first phase of Dakhla Atlantic Port will be completed by the end of 2028. Once operational, the facility is expected to become a major logistics and economic hub thanks to its strategic location on Morocco's Atlantic coast near key maritime routes connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
The project forms part of Morocco's broader strategy to transform its southern provinces into an economic hub connected to African markets. Authorities expect the port to attract major industrial and logistics investments, strengthen export value chains, support fisheries and related industries, and generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
Designed with an annual handling capacity of 35 million tons and supported by economic and logistics zones spanning 1,650 hectares, the port is intended to serve as more than a maritime transport facility. According to Iouzi, interest from Moroccan and international investors has already increased significantly since construction began, with economic delegations and investment groups regularly visiting the region to explore opportunities linked to the future port.
She added that the project was conceived with long-term expansion in mind. Additional land reserves have been allocated to allow for future terminals, industrial zones, logistics facilities, and emerging activities such as green fuel and clean hydrogen services for ships.
As completion of the first phase draws closer, Dakhla Atlantic Port is increasingly emerging as one of Morocco's most strategic infrastructure projects in recent decades. Beyond its economic impact, the port is expected to support the kingdom's broader Atlantic vision, including the royal initiative aimed at facilitating access to the Atlantic Ocean for Sahel countries and strengthening trade corridors linking Africa with Europe and Latin America through Morocco.
