Turkish industrial and maritime sectors have been fully mobilized since Morocco opened an international pre-selection process for the time-charter of a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage and regasification unit to be stationed at the Nador West Med port. Documents obtained by Barlamane.com indicate Ankara’s clear intent to position Turkish companies strongly in this strategic energy project, which is set to play a key role in securing Morocco’s gas supply in the long term.
A circular dated 7 January, referencing 7.1.2026/9 and 9-77, issued by the Secretariat-General of Istanbul Exporters’ Unions to members of the Union of Ship, Yacht, and Services Exporters, is based on a letter from the Turkish Ministry of Trade’s Directorate General for Exports (Machinery, Automotive, Electrical, and Electronic Products Department), itself relying on official communication from Turkey’s Commercial Counselor in Rabat.
The circular states that “the Moroccan Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development has opened a pre-selection procedure for the chartering of a floating storage and regasification unit to be moored at Nador West Med port.” It notes that the unit will handle the reception of LNG, its temporary storage, and conversion back into gas before delivery to onshore infrastructure. The document also highlights that “the port where the unit will be stationed was constructed by a consortium including Turkish companies,” a key point for national operators already involved in the port’s construction.
Currently under construction along Morocco’s Mediterranean coast, Nador West Med port is expected to become operational in the second half of 2026, according to Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka. This deep-water port will ultimately provide nearly 800 hectares for industrial activities, with potential expansion up to 5,000 hectares, surpassing the size of adjacent industrial zones at Tanger Med.
The port will host Morocco’s first LNG terminal, based on a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU). The unit will be connected by pipeline to the country’s northwestern industrial hubs, in a context of growing investment in natural gas and renewable energy aimed at reducing coal dependency. Nador West Med will also feature berths dedicated to the export of green hydrogen once this sector comes online, making it, alongside Tanger Med and Jorf Lasfar, one of Morocco’s main deep-water ports.
Fully Prepared for a Flagship Project
The circular emphasizes the strategic territorial importance of the project, noting that “other projects are planned to ensure the transport of gas from the Nador region to Morocco’s inland regions.” This highlights the scale of the initiative, combining maritime facilities, onshore infrastructure, and distribution networks, giving the pre-selection procedure a much broader scope than a simple naval charter.
A detailed note dated 27 December, referenced E-78428086-724.01.01-00117227476 from Turkey’s Commercial Counselor in Rabat, reiterates the key aspects of the project, specifying that “the Moroccan Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development has launched a pre-selection call for the time-charter of a floating storage and regasification unit to be moored at Nador West Med.” The note emphasizes that this unit will play a central role in the country’s LNG supply system.
The document also outlines the potential technical obligations of the selected operator, stating that “the chosen company may be responsible for implementing all or part of the surface equipment, including quay interfaces, loading arms, connection systems, and associated equipment.” It specifies that “this equipment must be handed over to Moroccan public institutions before the unit’s commissioning,” underscoring Morocco’s intent to maintain ownership of its strategic infrastructure.
In December, an official notice (held by Barlamane.com) confirmed that “the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development has decided to conduct an international pre-selection process for the chartering of a floating LNG storage and regasification unit at Nador West Med.” The notice stresses that the procedure aims to select operators with proven technical, financial, and operational capabilities suitable for a project of this scale.
The Moroccan notice also notes that “the pre-selection procedure is intended to limit the subsequent phase to candidates who meet the required guarantees.” The floating unit must meet strict standards regarding storage capacity, regasification throughput, operational safety, and compatibility with existing port facilities.
Both documents align on deadlines and procedures. The Turkish circular states that “companies wishing to participate in the pre-selection process may obtain the required documents by email until 30 January.” The Moroccan notice specifies the same date, indicating that “applications must be submitted no later than 30 January at 14:00, Rabat time.”
Source: Barlamane
