Morocco Awards $340 Million in Contracts for New High-Speed Rail Project

The high-speed rail (HSR) megaproject connecting Kénitra to Marrakech is progressing. The National Railway Office (ONCF) has selected eight companies to carry out the superstructure, track and catenary, and civil engineering works on the operating tracks. These companies will have to execute the 4 lots included in this contract, for a total amount of 3.38 billion dirhams (MMDH).

The Colas Rail (France)-Colas Rail Maroc tandem was awarded the first lot, covering the Sidi Ichou-Sidi Bernoussi section, for a budget of 650 million dirhams (MDH). The second lot, relating to the Sidi Bernoussi-Oasis section, was entrusted to China Railway No.4 Engineering. The Chinese company submitted an offer of 915 MDH.

The French consortium TSA-TSO Catenaires-NGE Contracting will be in charge of the third lot, which extends from the Oasis station to Nouaceur. It won the contract, for an amount of 1.11 MMDH. Finally, the fourth lot, relating to the Sidi El Aïdi-Marrakech section, was awarded to the Italian grouping GCF-GCFMA for an envelope of 702 MDH.

Designed for a maximum speed of 350 km/h, the line connecting Kénitra to Marrakech will be operated at 320 km/h, over a route of about 450 km. It is planned to directly connect Tangier to Marrakech without going through Casablanca. Two itineraries have been proposed for the train’s arrival in Casablanca. It is also planned that the high-speed train line will pass through an alternative route in Benslimane (the stadium) towards Nouaceur. This will host the establishment of a new station or a distribution center.