Tangier, Casablanca or Agadir? Choosing the Right Moroccan Port for Your Shipment | 0551247117
Choosing the arrival port for sea shipping from Saudi Arabia to Morocco: Tanger Med, Casablanca and Agadir compared, the best port for each city, the effect of transshipment, and what to include in a quote.
Morocco has three main ports that receive shipments from Saudi Arabia, hundreds of kilometers apart: Tanger Med in the far north on the Mediterranean, Casablanca on the central Atlantic coast, and Agadir in the south. Arriving at the wrong port means long inland transport that can swallow any saving on the sea freight, and the port’s location also changes the length of the voyage itself. In this guide we compare the three ports, show which suits your city, explain how location affects the sea route, and what to include in a quote.
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- The three ports
- Location changes the sea route too
- Which port for your city?
- What to include in a sea quote
- Frequently asked questions
- Which Moroccan ports receive shipments from Saudi Arabia?
- Which port should I choose for Rabat?
- Why might my shipment pass through Tangier on its way to Casablanca?
- Is shipping to Tangier faster?
- Do you handle inland transport?
- Which port suits Marrakech?
The three ports
| Port | Location | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Tanger Med | The far north on the Mediterranean | Tangier, Tetouan, the north and northern industrial zones |
| Casablanca | The central Atlantic coast | Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech and the centre |
| Agadir | The southern Atlantic coast | Agadir, Souss-Massa and the south |
Location changes the sea route too
Tanger Med is on the Mediterranean, so the voyage there ends before the Strait of Gibraltar. Casablanca and Agadir are on the Atlantic, so the ship passes through the strait and continues south. And because Tanger Med is one of the largest transshipment ports in the region, some shipments bound for the Atlantic ports call there first and then move to a smaller vessel, which can add days. Details in our longest sea voyage: preparing your shipment for Morocco.
Which port for your city?
| Destination city | Usually best port |
|---|---|
| Tangier, Tetouan and Al Hoceima | Tanger Med |
| Fez and Meknes | Tanger Med or Casablanca depending on schedule and cost |
| Rabat, Salé and Kenitra | Casablanca |
| Casablanca and Mohammedia | Casablanca |
| Marrakech | Usually Casablanca |
| Agadir, Taroudant and the south | Agadir |
| The east (Oujda and Nador) | Compared between Tanger Med and inland transport |
What to include in a sea quote
- Inland transport from the port: sea freight ends at the quay, not at the consignee’s door.
- Transshipment: does the container arrive directly or via an intermediate port?
- Handling and clearance charges: at the arrival port.
- Free storage days: and the daily fees after them.
For final returnees see final return to Morocco, and for the destination page shipping to Morocco.
Frequently asked questions
Which Moroccan ports receive shipments from Saudi Arabia?
Usually Tanger Med, Casablanca and Agadir, depending on the shipping line.
Which port should I choose for Rabat?
Usually Casablanca, because it is close.
Why might my shipment pass through Tangier on its way to Casablanca?
Because Tanger Med is a major transshipment port, and some lines move containers from there to smaller vessels.
Is shipping to Tangier faster?
Usually yes, because it is on the Mediterranean before the Strait of Gibraltar.
Do you handle inland transport?
Yes, and we list it as a clear item in the quote.
Which port suits Marrakech?
Usually Casablanca, then inland transport.
Turn what you just read into a quote
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