Safi (Marrakesh, Morocco)

Safi is a port city on Atlantic Ocean, located in western Morocco (approx 300 km / 190 ml from Agadir) and has with population around 310,000 (metro over 420,000). Safi is also the cruise port to Marrakesh (Morocco's 4th largest city - after Casablanca, Fez, Tangier).

• The city is one of Morocco's oldest, and is often identified with the ancient Carcunticus (Thymiaterion) founded by Carthaginians.
• In the period 1488-1541, the town belonged to Portuguese Empire (Portuguese Overseas / 1415-1999), with a fortress constructed for protection from sea.
• Most citizens are Arabs and Berbers (indigenous North Africans). The city also had a large Jewish community (1/5th of its total population) which emigrated to Canada, Israel and France.
• Safi is country's major fishing port for sardine. It is also a cargo port serving country's exports of textiles, ceramics, phosphates.

Port's expansion is a large infrastructure development project, part of country's seaport strategy plan for 2030. The project aims to support Morocco's energy and chemical industries and includes dock (berth) expansion and improving logistics for coal suppllies to the thermal power plant. Works to enlarge the port area started in 2014 and were completed in 2017.