UN/LOCODE: MACAS📍 Morocco
Port of Casablanca (UN/LOCODE MACAS)
❖ Coordinates: 33.5800°N, -7.6000°E
❖ Time Zone: Africa/Casablanca
❖ UN/LOCODE: MACAS
## About the Port
The **Port of Casablanca** (UN/LOCODE: **MACAS**) is Morocco’s largest maritime gateway and the premier container hub on the Atlantic coast of North Africa. Situated in the Casablanca‑Dar el Beïda industrial zone at **33.58° N, 7.60° W**, the port operates on **Africa/Casablanca** time (UTC +0). Its strategic location—15 nm west of the Strait of Gibraltar and approximately 350 km south of the Mediterranean‑Atlantic choke point—makes it a natural trans‑shipment node linking Europe, the Middle East, and sub‑Saharan Africa. The port is administered by **APCE (Autorité Portuaire de Casablanca)** and serves a mixed cargo base that includes containers, bulk commodities, roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) traffic, and specialized project cargo.
Key identifiers:
- **UN/LOCODE:** MACAS
- **Port Authority:** APCE (Autorité Portuaire de Casablanca)
- **Annual TEU throughput (2022):** ≈ 5.8 million TEU
- **Depth:** 16 m (at the deepest berths)
- **Draft clearance:** 12–15 m for container vessels up to 12 000 TEU
These figures position Casablanca as a tier‑1 port in the Mediterranean‑Atlantic corridor and an essential logistics hub for Morocco’s export‑oriented manufacturing sector.
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## History
### Early Development (1900s–1950s)
Casablanca’s harbour origins trace back to the French Protectorate (1912–1956). The colonial administration initiated a series of dredging projects that transformed a natural bay into a functional commercial dock. By the 1930s, the port accommodated steamships and early refrigerated cargo, primarily serving the burgeoning textile and phosphate industries.
### Post‑Independence Expansion (1960s–1990s)
Following Morocco’s independence in 1956, the government pursued a systematic modernization program. The 1965 **Port of Casablanca Development Plan** introduced mechanized cargo handling, reinforced quay walls, and the first container terminal (C1). In the 1980s, APCE was created to centralize port management, and the **Free Trade Zone (FTZ) of Casablanca** was established, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in automotive assembly and agro‑processing.
### 21st‑Century Revitalization (2000‑present)
A major public‑private partnership (PPP) launched in 2004 led to the construction of the **C2 and C3 container terminals**, each equipped with super‑post-Panamax gantry cranes. Simultaneously, the port deepened its access channel to 16 m, enabling ultra‑large container vessels (ULCVs) to berth. Recent investments focus on digitalization—adopting the **Port Community System (PCS)** and the **Maritime Autonomous Navigation (MAN) pilot**—to improve turnaround times and align with IMO’s e‑Navigation standards.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Container Terminals
- **C1 Terminal:** 12 berths; 14 m draft; equipped with 8 ship-to-shore (STS) gantry cranes (≈ 15 m outreach).
- **C2 Terminal (Joint venture with Hutchison Ports):** 9 berths; 15 m draft; 6 super‑post‑Panamax STS cranes, automated gate systems, and an on‑dock rail link to the **North–South Railway**.
- **C3 Terminal (APCE‑owned):** 6 berths; 13 m draft; 4 ship‑to‑shore cranes and a dedicated refrigerated cargo area (≈ 150,000 m³).
Collectively, the terminals offer **≈ 2,200 m of quay length** and handle a **combined yard capacity of 150 ha**, supporting both full‑container loads (FCL) and less‑than‑container loads (LCL).
### Bulk & General Cargo Facilities
- **Liquid Bulk Terminal:** 5 berths, depth 12 m, equipped with dual‑pump offshore loading arms for crude oil, petroleum products, and LPG.
- **Dry Bulk Terminal:** 4 berths with conveyor‑belt loading for cement, cereals, and phosphates; storage silos total 400 kt.
- **Ro‑Ro & Breakbulk:** Dedicated lanes for automobile importers (≈ 300 k units/yr) and project cargo (e.g., wind‑turbine components, heavy machinery).
### Supporting Infrastructure
- **Intermodal Connectivity:** 24 km of dedicated highway (A1–A3) and a 2 km rail spur linking the port to the national rail network, facilitating seamless container drayage to inland depots.
- **Customs & Inspection:** Fully automated **Single Window** system, ISO‑9001‑certified cargo inspection facilities, and a 24‑hour customs clearance desk.
- **Ancillary Services:** Ship‑repair yard (dry dock 250 m), bunkering station (Marine Diesel Oil 0.5 % sulphur), freshwater production (5 000 m³/day), and a modern pilotage & towage fleet (4 tugs, 7 000 kW total).
For a detailed technical overview, see the **Port of Casablanca Master Plan** released by APCE (https://www.apce.ma).
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## Economic Importance
### National Trade Engine
Casablanca processes **≈ 70 % of Morocco’s total maritime trade volume**, making it the linchpin of the nation’s import‑export balance. The port’s container throughput accounts for **> 80 % of the country’s containerized cargo**, underpinning key sectors such as automotive (renault‑Dacia, PSA), textiles, and agribusiness.
### Employment & Value‑Added Output
APCE reports direct employment of **~ 9,500** port workers and indirect jobs exceeding **45,000** in logistics, ship‑chandling, and related services. The combined economic output attributable to port activities approximates **USD 5 billion** annually, representing **~ 2 % of Morocco’s GDP**.
### Investment Magnet
The **Free Trade Zone (FTZ) of Casablanca**, adjacent to the port, hosts more than **300 multinational firms**. The zone’s tax incentives and proximity to deep‑water berths have attracted significant FDI, especially in automotive assembly (e.g., Renault’s new plant) and renewable‑energy component manufacturing.
### Strategic Initiatives
- **Blue Economy Program:** Aligns port development with Morocco’s maritime sustainability agenda, focusing on reduced emissions, waste management, and marine biodiversity protection.
- **Digital Port Strategy (2023‑2028):** Implements AI‑driven predictive maintenance for quay cranes, blockchain‑based trade documentation, and real‑time vessel traffic services (VTS) to improve operational efficiency.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
| Origin/Destination | Main Shipping Lines | Typical Vessel Size |
|--------------------|----------------------|---------------------|
| **Europe (Spain, France, Italy, Germany)** | Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM | 12 000–14 000 TEU |
| **West Africa (Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria)** | Ocean Network Express (ONE), Hapag‑Lloyd | 8 000–10 000 TEU |
| **Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia)** | ZIM, HMM | 9 000 TEU |
| **North America (East Coast, Gulf)** | Hamburg Süd, MSC | 10 000–12 000 TEU (via trans‑Atlantic) |
The port’s **Pan‑European Service** operates a weekly feeder rotation linking Rotterdam, Algeciras, and Hamburg, while a **South‑West African Loop** connects Dakar, Abidjan, and Lagos, supporting regional intra‑African trade.
### Dominant Cargo Profiles
- **Containers (≈ 5.8 M TEU/yr):** Predominantly finished automobiles, electronics, and consumer goods inbound; agricultural products (citrus, olives), textiles, and phosphate fertilizers outbound.
- **Liquid Bulk (≈ 20 Mt/yr):** Crude oil imports for national refineries; LPG and diesel export to neighboring West African markets.
- **Dry Bulk (≈ 12 Mt/yr):** Phosphate rock (Morocco ≈ 28 Mt/year) destined for Europe and Asia; cereals and wheat imported for domestic consumption.
- **Roll‑On/Roll‑Off (≈ 300 k units/yr):** Passenger cars, trucks, and heavy equipment supporting Morocco’s growing automotive assembly sector.
The diversified cargo mix has insulated Casablanca against sectoral volatility, while its deep‑draft berths enable accommodation of **ULCVs (up to 14 000 TEU)**, positioning the port as a viable trans‑shipment hub for larger vessels that otherwise would call only at Mediterranean ports.
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### Outlook
Projected container throughput is slated to exceed **6.5 million TEU by 2030**, driven by expanding automotive production, increased e‑commerce imports, and the anticipated **Western Mediterranean Belt and Road Initiative** corridor. Continued infrastructure investment—such as the planned **C4 deep‑water terminal** and enhanced rail link to the **Tangier‑Mediterranean high‑speed line**—will reinforce Casablanca’s role as the gateway for Morocco’s economic diversification and as a strategic anchorage for Atlantic‑bound logistics chains.
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*For further technical specifications and real‑time port statistics, consult the International Maritime Organization’s Port Facility Database (https://www.imo.org) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Port Statistics portal.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
MACAS
Country
Morocco
Province / Region
Casablanca [Dar el Beïda]*
Latitude
33.580000
Longitude
-7.600000
Timezone
Africa/Casablanca
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Casablanca?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Casablanca is MACAS.
Where is Port of Casablanca located?
The Port of Casablanca is located in Morocco, Casablanca [Dar el Beïda]*. Its coordinates are 33.5800°N, -7.6000°E.
What time zone is Port of Casablanca in?
Port of Casablanca operates in the Africa/Casablanca time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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