Work began Tuesday on expanding the Laayoune fishing port, with a total investment of 210 million dirhams. Launched to commemorate the 49th anniversary of the Green March, this project aligns with the 2030 port master plan and aims to foster regional socio-economic development by increasing berthing capacity and supporting coastal and artisanal fishing activities. The extension involves demolishing existing guano berths, constructing a new 350-meter-long, five-meter-deep fishing dock, a 100-meter return dock, installing dock equipment, and filling in 2.5 hectares of quay land. Scheduled for completion in 20 months, the project also includes the installation of 204 meters of floating wharves and 112 meters of access gangways. Ismail Benazouz, Head of Development and Regulation at the Regional Directorate of the National Ports Agency (ANP), noted that the project aims to expand Laayoune port, one of Morocco's largest fishing ports by value and volume, to better meet the needs of industry professionals. The expansion is also designed to improve traffic flow for fishing vessels, enhance environmental protection, and provide safer conditions for fishermen. «This project», continued Benazouz, «is part of the Agency's investment plan to develop the Laayoune port as a key logistics platform, supporting Moroccan and foreign investments in the development of the Kingdom's southern provinces». The project launch was attended by Abdeslam Bekrate, Wali of the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region and Governor of Laayoune province, the ANP's regional director El Mokhtar Bouchouat, as well as elected officials and consuls general accredited to Laayoune. During the event, the wali and his delegation were briefed on the port's commercial traffic.
