
Morocco Expands Rail Network: Tangier-Tetouan Line Planned in Northern Provinces
The National Railway Office (ONCF) has launched an ambitious project to extend the rail network in the northern provinces of Morocco.

The National Railway Office (ONCF) has launched an ambitious project to extend the rail network in the northern provinces of Morocco.

Spain, France and China are competing in Morocco. At the origin of this rivalry, the railway projects undertaken by Morocco as part of the preparations for the 2030 World Cup, which it will co-host with Madrid and Portugal.

The National Railway Office (ONCF) aims to build a railway tunnel in Rabat as part of the Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed line project. In this regard, it has recently launched a call for tenders.

The route of the future high-speed train connecting Marrakech to Agadir has caused a wave of concern in Essaouira. The city of the Alizés, a major tourist destination, fears being excluded from this large-scale project, even though it is part of the route.

The National Railway Office (ONCF) has just announced the start of work on the construction of a new station in Hay Ryad as well as the resumption of work at the Rabat-Ville station.

The high-speed line connecting Marrakech to Agadir will include three stations for passengers and one dedicated to freight, announced the head of the delegation of the Chinese company CRDC, in charge of the project studies.

The Minister of Transport and Logistics, Mohamed Adeljalil, presented on Tuesday to the House of Advisors the progress of the actions taken by the National Railways Office (ONCF) to strengthen and modernize rail transport between the cities and airports of the kingdom.

Is a rail link between Spain and Morocco possible before 2030, the year of the World Cup? While the idea is appealing, it will be very difficult to meet the deadlines and find financing.

Mohamed Rabie Khlie, Director General of the National Railways Office (ONCF), unveiled new projects, including those to connect the airports of Rabat and Casablanca with high-speed trains (TGV ).

Several memoranda of understanding were signed as part of King Mohammed VI’s visit to the United Arab Emirates. Infrastructure, such as the TGV or roads, are among the projects that should be financed by the Emiratis.

The government of Aziz Akhannouch has just taken a step towards the realization of the Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed line. Planned in the Rail Maroc 2040 plan, this project represents a strategic challenge in the continuation of the development of the high-speed network in Morocco.

The large Spanish railway construction and civil engineering companies want to capture the 35 billion euros that Morocco plans to invest in improving its rail network, including the construction of new high-speed lines. The only problem, France, the historical partner of the kingdom in this field.