Port of Melilla

History

A port existed in Phoenician and Punic Russadir that continued its activity under Roman rule after the fall of Carthage. During the Middle Ages the port presumably played a part in the interchange of gold, ivory, slaves and cereals imported by the Caliphate of Córdoba in exchange for perfume, leather, silk and fabric.

During the time of the Spanish protectorate in Morocco, the iron ore mined from the hinterland was loaded in the port of Melilla by the Compañía Española de Minas del Rif (CEMR).