Portuguese paper: Tangier and Nador ports compete with €700M European project

The Portuguese economic newspaper ECO reported that the rapid expansion of Moroccan port infrastructure, particularly Tanger Med port and Nador West Med port, raises concerns about the attractiveness of the future Vasco da Gama terminal at the Portuguese port of Sines, costing an estimated €700 million.
It mentioned that Moroccan competition could affect the prospects for European investment in the project, especially with environmental constraints in Europe.
These concerns come before the launch of a new concession procedure in 2027, after the failure of the previous tender in 2019, where about 60 companies withdrew their bids.
The paper also highlighted that costs of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) could reach €400,000 per ship, increasing pressure on European ports.
It argues that Moroccan ports are now capable of attracting sustainable trade flows, prompting investors to reassess the viability of European projects.