The Port of Casablanca is a crucial maritime hub in North Africa, serving as a vital gateway for Morocco’s international trade. Located on the Atlantic Ocean, it significantly contributes to the country’s economic growth. Known for its modern infrastructure and wide range of facilities, Casablanca Port caters to various types of cargo, including containerized, bulk, and general cargo.
The Port of Casablanca is known for its modern infrastructure and wide range of facilities.
Basic Information
- Name of Port: Port of Casablanca
- Port Code: MACAS
- Location: Casablanca, Morocco
- Coordinates: 33°36′N, 7°37′W
- Operator: Marsa Maroc
- Port Type: Multipurpose, deepwater port
A Historical Perspective
Before being invaded by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Casablanca was known as Anfa. The Portuguese used the ruins of Anfa to build a military fortress in 1515 but were eventually expelled by the Moroccan Saadi Dynasty in 1530. The foundation of the current port started during the reign of Sidi Mohammed Bin Abdellah, the Alawi Sultan of Morocco, in the 18th century. It was this Sultan who named it Addar Al Beida, or Casablanca.
In the 19th century, the area's population began to grow as Casablanca became a major supplier of wool to the booming textile industry in Britain, and shipping traffic increased. The British, in return, began importing gunpowder tea, a key ingredient in Morocco's national drink, mint tea. The Moroccan administration of the time entrusted to the Compagnie Marocaine the construction of a small port whose water surface to be sheltered does not exceed 10 hectares.
The work started in 1906, consisted of the construction of two small piers out of grip of share and others of the wet dock. The port has known important works of extension including the prolongation of the two facilities for phosphates shipping and the completion of citrus fruits facility in the 1950s until the 1980s.
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Facilities at Casablanca Port
Casablanca Port boasts state-of-the-art facilities that handle a variety of cargo efficiently. The port includes:
- Container terminals with significant handling capacity
- Bulk cargo terminals for dry and liquid commodities
- Dedicated berths for general cargo and passenger services
- Advanced cargo-handling equipment to facilitate quick and efficient operations
These facilities make the Port of Casablanca a vital maritime hub in the region, capable of accommodating a diverse range of vessels. As Morocco's largest port, the Port of Casablanca processes millions of tons of cargo annually, including containerized goods, liquid bulk, and dry bulk. It plays a key role in facilitating trade between Europe, Africa, and the Americas, enhancing the region’s connectivity to global markets.
Key Figures:
- High throughput of containers (in TEUs)
- Major contributor to Morocco’s exports and imports
- Significant handling capacity for bulk cargo
Services Offered
The Port of Casablanca offers a wide array of services to ensure seamless maritime operations, including:
- Container handling and storage
- Specialized bulk cargo handling
- Bonded warehousing and logistics solutions
- Customs clearance and inspection
- Passenger ferry services
These services cater to the diverse needs of shipping lines, traders, and logistics providers.
Connectivity
Strategically located in Morocco’s largest city, the Port of Casablanca is well-connected to the country’s extensive road and rail networks. This connectivity facilitates efficient cargo movement to and from inland regions, ensuring seamless trade flow.
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The most convenient way to get from Casa Port to Mohammed V Airport (CMN) is by taking the ONCF train from Casa Port station. Trains are frequent and offer a reliable connection.
Casa-Port Train Station
His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco recently inaugurated the new train station of Casa-port, which is a crowning achievement for the national transportation network's modern heritage. The first of its kind in Morocco in terms of design and facilities, the station falls within the series of major construction sites launched by Morocco's sovereign across the nation's entire territory.
It represents the King's continued desire to accompany the process of restructuring, urban modernization, and the strengthening of inter-city transportation. Located in the heart of a city undergoing plenty of change, the new station (costing approximately 45 million USD), fits in perfectly with the the plans for the Casablanca urban area's recomposition, and the configuration of the urban space surrounding the station. It can be found in the center of several of the metro area's major roadways and neighboring the city's port, the new Marina, and the Hassan II Mosque.
The railway constructs built in Marrakech, Fes, and Tangier were designed to be intelligent, offering multiple services, and designed as places for living. Now the Casa-Port station wants to take things a step further as part of this concept, raising the station to a community space for customers and the public at large.
Carried out by the National Office of Railways (ONCF), the new rail structure, which began construction in May 2008 under King Mohammed VI, is a truly multi-service center offering on-site commercial and leisure spaces to users. It also participates in the development of a hub for exchange and intermodal transport, as well as enhancing commercial offerings while accommodating the large amount of daily work-home commuting done on foot.
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Best Things To Do In Casablanca | Morocco Travel Guide 2025
The Casa-Port Station, which stretches over a surface area of about 33,500 square meters, will welcome more than 20 million passengers a year, amounting to nearly 5,000 travelers every hour during peak times. It groups three spaces with complementary functions, including a building for travelers, an underground parking lot, and a building housing the ONCF services, which is located parallel to the nearby embankment. It is a megastructure that combines modern and traditional architecture with facilities and installations that meet international standards of security and quality of service.
As part of the new station's opening, redevelopment has moved on to existing railway infrastructure in order to optimize them for continued use, going hand-in-hand with traffic development.
Planning Your Visit
Casablanca Port is a bustling hub for cargo and passenger vessels. Be prepared for aggressive taxi drivers and hawkers upon arrival. Consider booking an excursion for a smoother experience, as amenities like WiFi, shops, and cafes are scarce within the port itself.
Tips for Navigating Casablanca Port:
- Negotiate Taxi Fares: Taxi drivers can be aggressive. Negotiate firmly, aiming for around 10 euro for 4 people to downtown.
- Walk Away from Hawkers: If approached by pushy hawkers or drivers, simply walk away. They will usually leave you alone.
- Airport Transfer Options: For transfers to Mohammed V Airport, consider ONCF trains from Casa Port station.
- Excursion Recommended: Due to limited amenities, consider booking an excursion for a more comfortable visit.
Nearby Attractions
While the port itself may lack amenities, several attractions are located nearby:
- Hassan II Mosque: Erected by the sea, this mosque was built between 1986 and 1993. The quality of the work of the craftsmen is remarkable. You can visit the mosque outside of prayer hours. You have to be dressed properly to visit this place.
- Royal Palace of Casablanca: The palace was built in the 1920s in an Arab-Muslim style. The palace is not open to visitors.
- Mohammed V Square: This square now bears the name of the former King Mohammed V. It was built at the beginning of the Period of French colonization in 1916.
- United Nation Square: A very lively square in the center of the city characterized by the richness of the architecture of the buildings that surround it and a dome built in the center of the square.
- Église Notre-Dame de Lourdes: Catholic church with modern architecture built in 1954. Its stained glass windows are spectacular.
- The Mahkama of the Pasha: This Hispano-Moorish style building served as a Muslim court and residence of the Pasha (the governor of the city). A guided tour allows you to discover the sumptuous building.
- Isesco Park: This pretty park offers flowerbeds and pools of water. A quiet place to take a break.
- Central Market: At the Central Market, you can find seafood, fruits and vegetables, flowers and some handicrafts.
The Hassan II Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the world.
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tags: #Morocco
