Morocco, Tangier

Port of Tangier Med I

Construction of a strategic gateway to Africa and Europe

BESIX, in joint venture with Somagec, contributed to the design and construction of Tanger Med I, a new deep-water port developed on Morocco’s northern coast. This greenfield project included 2,000 metres of quay walls and 180 metres of shore protection, built using massive concrete blocks cast on site. Tanger Med I now serves as a strategic gateway between Africa and global trade routes.

Project overview

Tanger Med I was conceived as a new maritime infrastructure to meet Morocco’s growing trade ambitions. Unlike an extension of an existing facility, this greenfield port was built from scratch near Tangier, with BESIX responsible for key marine works. The project included deepwater quays, dredging, and coastal protection, supported by an on-site quarry. Today, Tanger Med I is a cornerstone of Morocco’s logistics network, connecting Europe, Africa, and beyond.

Scope of works

Design and construction of 2,000 metres of quay walls
180 metres of shore protection
On-site casting of 60-tonne concrete blocks
Operation of a quarry for rock production
Dredging: 1,273,253 m³
Backfilling: 1,000,000 tonnes
Rock fill: 2,700,000 tonnes
Concrete blocks: 250,000 m³
Concrete capping beam: 40,000 m³

Key highlights

Quay depths ranging from -6 metres to -18 metres
Strategic location near the Strait of Gibraltar
BESIX 50% JV with Somagec
Client: Tanger Méditerrannée Special Agency (TMSA)
Engineering partners: Halcrow International (UK), Ingema (Morocco)
On-site quarry operations for rock supply
Compliance with international safety and environmental standards