The Port of Casablanca has achieved a significant milestone with the recent arrival of the cargo vessel KRASZEWSKI at the Somaport Multipurpose Terminal. Onboard were a gas turbine and its generator, both critical components for a national energy project of substantial importance. Weighing in at 495 and 405 tonnes respectively, these two pieces of equipment are among the heaviest industrial loads ever handled at this port, underscoring the growing capabilities of Casablanca as a hub for heavy industrial logistics.
This operation was conducted on behalf of ONEE, Morocco’s national electricity and water utility, and the equipment is destined for a state-of-the-art combined-cycle power plant being constructed at the Al Wahda Dam, situated north of Ouezzane. The Agence Nationale des Ports (ANP) confirmed the successful unloading of this cargo in a press release issued on Tuesday, emphasizing the logistical complexities involved in such a large-scale operation.
The ANP categorized this cargo as “hors-gabarit,” referring to freight that exceeds the standard dimensions and weight parameters that conventional port infrastructure, transport vehicles, and equipment are designed to handle. The arrival of the KRASZEWSKI represents a significant achievement in the delivery of industrial equipment of exceptional scale, necessitating the use of specialized heavy-lift gear and handling equipment to manage the unloading process effectively.
The agency highlighted that the discharge operation required meticulous coordination among various stakeholders, including port teams, the shipowner, the freight forwarder, and the logistics operator overseeing the project. This level of collaboration is a testament to Casablanca’s reputation as one of Africa’s best-equipped ports for receiving heavy industrial cargo. The Somaport Multipurpose Terminal exemplifies the technical expertise and responsiveness needed for high-stakes logistics, further strengthening its role in the region.
Beyond merely unloading the turbine and generator, this operation reflects Morocco’s broader ambition to enhance its energy infrastructure. The equipment will contribute to a combined-cycle plant aimed at increasing the country’s electricity generation capacity and supporting its transition towards sustainable energy sources. By facilitating the arrival of such critical equipment, the Port of Casablanca solidifies its position as a strategic gateway for Morocco’s major industrial and energy initiatives.
This turbine delivery coincides with ongoing modernization efforts within the Casablanca port complex. In a related development, the Marsa Maroc multipurpose terminal recently welcomed its first large-capacity vessel—a 200-meter bulk sugar carrier chartered by the Cosumar Group. This ship delivered approximately 55,000 tonnes of raw sugar, a feat that was made possible following the completion of a quay-deepening program that increased the terminal’s draft to 12 meters.
Khalid Mansour, Director of Marsa Maroc’s Bulk Business Unit, stated that the 230 linear meters of quay that have been rehabilitated and deepened now accommodate vessels approaching 60,000 tonnes in capacity. The operator aims to extend the rehabilitated quay line to 530 meters by 2028, which would ultimately enhance the terminal’s total handling capacity to exceed eight million tonnes.
For Cosumar, Morocco’s leading sugar industry player and a major importer of raw sugar for refining, access to larger vessels translates to reduced transport costs and fewer port calls for equivalent volumes. Anas Jamal Eddine, the group’s Director of Commercial, Marketing and Supply Chain, noted that the deeper quays, along with improved operational efficiencies, enable significant port and logistics optimizations that enhance the company’s competitiveness.
These two operations—focused on oversized industrial cargo and high-tonnage bulk commodities—reflect a strategic expansion of the Port of Casablanca’s capabilities. Both initiatives align with the overarching goal of equipping Morocco’s busiest commercial port to meet the growing infrastructure and industrial demands stemming from the nation’s ongoing energy and economic transformation.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
