Morocco commits over US$21M to transform Laayoune Fishing Port amid broader maritime investments

MOROCCO – In a move to strengthen its fishing industry, Morocco has embarked on a US$21.3 million expansion of the Laayoune fishing port, aiming to elevate its role as a key economic driver in its southern provinces. 

Overseen by the National Ports Agency (ANP), this ambitious project aligns with Morocco’s 2030 port master plan and was inaugurated to commemorate the 49th anniversary of the Green March. 

The upgrades are set to streamline vessel traffic, boost safety, and enhance port infrastructure, supporting Morocco’s goal to become a regional leader in sustainable fisheries.

The project, which will span 20 months, includes constructing a new 350-meter-long, 5-meter-deep quay alongside a 100-meter quay return and a 204-meter floating wharf. 

Additional installations will expand the dock equipment and reclaim 2.5 hectares of quay land, enabling a smoother flow of vessels and improving operational safety for fishermen. 

The enhancements also aim to support the coastal and artisanal fishing sectors, vital to the local economy.

Laayoune port is a cornerstone in Morocco’s fisheries sector, generating 1.6 billion dirhams (US$162.1 million) in 2023 alone. 

According to Ismail Benazouz, Head of Development and Regulation at ANP’s Regional Directorate, the expansion positions Laayoune as a logistical hub in the country’s maritime infrastructure, designed to attract national and international investments to Morocco’s southern provinces. 

He highlighted that the expanded port would serve fishing needs and bolster regional socio-economic development, addressing Morocco’s strategic objective of fostering growth in less urbanised regions.

Abdeslam Bekrate, Wali of the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region and Governor of Laayoune province, alongside ANP’s regional director El Mokhtar Bouchouat and other dignitaries, attended the groundbreaking ceremony. 

The event underscored the significance of the port’s commercial traffic and regional contributions, marking a new phase in Morocco’s commitment to advancing its fisheries sector.

Beyond the Laayoune port project, Morocco’s 2025 Finance Bill allocates 358.7 million dirhams (US$36.3 million) to the Department of Maritime Fisheries. 

This funding will drive sustainability initiatives within the sector, ensuring that Morocco’s fishing industry adapts to climate challenges while continuing to serve as a primary food source. 

Morocco’s largest fishing sector in Africa, yielded 1.6 million tonnes of fish in 2022, underscoring the industry’s critical role in national food security and economic resilience.

Morocco’s broader investment strategy extends to port developments and the agriculture and inland fisheries sectors. The Ministry of Agriculture has announced a substantial US$1.74 billion investment for 2025, focusing on water conservation and climate adaptation. 

Notably, 4% of the agriculture budget increase will go towards irrigation and land development, while other funds will support seed security, fertiliser distribution, and agricultural insurance, helping farmers and fishers manage resources efficiently.

Morocco’s inland fisheries and aquaculture (IFA) sector is also advancing with the support of the National Water and Forest Agency (NWFA). 

Producing approximately 15,000 tons of freshwater fish annually, the IFA industry has adopted innovative, water-efficient techniques, particularly crucial given Morocco’s semi-arid climate.

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