German marine infrastructure company ShibataFenderTeam has supplied key docking and protection systems for Morocco’s large-scale Nador West Med Port project, officials said, as the strategic Mediterranean facility moves toward its planned launch in late 2026.
The company, headquartered in Germany and considered a global leader in fender manufacturing, designed and delivered specialized fender systems to protect vessels and port structures during docking operations. The equipment was installed across several terminals being built at the port, one of the most ambitious maritime infrastructure projects currently under development in Morocco.
ShibataFenderTeam was contracted by Moroccan construction firm SGTM to equip approximately 1,520 meters of quay infrastructure serving multiple terminals at the facility. The company said it also provided engineering coordination throughout the installation process to ensure that the equipment was properly integrated into the evolving port design.
According to project details released by the company, the container terminal was fitted with 120 Cone Fender Systems equipped with closed steel panels and 208 bollards capable of handling vessels with up to 200-ton mooring loads. The roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) terminal received five Cone Fender Systems and three bollards designed to accommodate vehicle-carrying ships.
The bulk cargo terminal was equipped with 19 Cone Fender Systems and 19 bollards, while the oil terminal received 30 Cone Fender Systems designed to handle tanker operations. In addition, a service dock was outfitted with 96 DD fenders and 39 bollards with a 30-ton capacity.
Each terminal required tailored engineering solutions based on the types of vessels expected to call at the port and the structural characteristics of the quays, the company said.
“Continuous engineering support was provided throughout the project as berth designs evolved,” ShibataFenderTeam said in a statement, noting that the company’s role extended beyond supply to technical coordination during the installation phase.
Located on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast near the city of Nador, the port is positioned along major east-west maritime routes used for container traffic and petroleum products. Once operational, it is expected to become a major logistics and energy hub connecting Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
The port project has mobilized approximately 51 billion Moroccan dirhams ($5.1 billion) in public and private investment so far. Base infrastructure is largely complete, including 5.4 kilometers of breakwaters, 4 kilometers of quays, and four energy stations designed to support port operations.
At launch, the facility is expected to handle up to five million containers and 35 million tons of liquid and solid bulk cargo annually. Long-term expansion plans could increase capacity to 12 million containers and an additional 15 million tons of liquid bulk per year.
A 700-hectare industrial and logistics zone associated with the port has already attracted international investors, with roughly 20 billion dirhams ($2 billion) in confirmed private investment. Authorities expect the zone to host manufacturing, logistics, and energy-related companies once the port becomes operational.
The project is being developed under the strategic guidance of Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, who chaired a high-level working session on the initiative earlier this year at the Royal Palace in Casablanca. Officials say the port remains on schedule to begin operations in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The project initially included Morocco’s first liquefied natural gas terminal with an annual capacity of five billion cubic meters. However, the country’s Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development suspended the LNG component earlier this year as authorities reassess national energy infrastructure priorities.
Despite adjustments to the energy component, Moroccan officials say the port remains a cornerstone of the country’s long-term strategy to strengthen maritime trade, logistics, and industrial development along the Mediterranean coast.
Industry and Trade Minister Ryad Mezzour recently said Morocco’s stable investment climate and strategic location make it an attractive hub for energy storage and maritime logistics. He noted that the Nador West Med project has been under development for more than a decade and continues to progress despite shifts in global energy markets.
Officials believe the port could play an increasingly important role in international trade routes and energy supply chains, positioning Morocco as a key logistics gateway between Africa, Europe, and the broader Mediterranean region.
