France lends €781 million to Morocco to purchase Alstom high-speed trains
The French government has granted funding of 781 million euros (8.2 billion dirhams) to Morocco in the form of a French Treasury loan, intended for the purchase of 18 Alstom high-speed trains by the National Railway Office (ONCF). This acquisition is part of the project to extend the high-speed rail line to Marrakech.
This funding is part of the financial cooperation agreement in the railway sector, signed on October 28, 2024, during President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Morocco.
The 18 trains will be supplied by Alstom, a French industrial group present in Morocco for nearly a century. The model in question is the Avelia Horizon, a double-decker train that can accommodate up to 640 passengers and reach a maximum speed of 320 km/h.
«This exceptional aid confirms the excellent Franco-Moroccan cooperation in the railway sector, which has already ensured the success of the high-speed line connecting Tangier to Kenitra, with nearly 5 million passengers transported in 2024. France and its companies will once again stand by Morocco to successfully extend the line to Marrakech».
Christophe Lecourtier, French Ambassador to Morocco
Besides its role in improving infrastructure, this new acquisition aims to reduce the carbon footprint of rail transport in Morocco, perfectly in line with the sustainable mobility goals set by the Kingdom.
While the trains will be manufactured in France, the Alstom plant in Fès will contribute to the project by producing electrical cabinets and cable harnesses, thereby strengthening the local railway ecosystem and Moroccan expertise in the field.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
2 hours ago
- Morocco World
World Bank Backs $350 Million Project to Transform Casablanca's Rail, Logistics Network
Rabat – The World Bank recently committed $350 million to finance a major overhaul of Greater Casablanca's transport and logistics system. The financing aims to enhance commuter rail operations and enhance the strength of Morocco's national railway company, the Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF), preparing it for long-term expansion. Morocco's urban population now reaches 60% and is expected to climb to 70% by 2050. Casablanca-Settat, the country's economic powerhouse, sits at the center of this urban boom. Cities already drive much of Morocco's economy and job creation, but residents face serious challenges like limited transport options in suburban neighborhoods, worsening traffic congestion, and pollution. Addressing these problems is vital for the future livability and economic potential of Moroccan cities. To meet this challenge, the Moroccan government has invested heavily in rail and public transit. The World Bank-sponsored new program, Service Intra-métropolitain Rapproché (SIR), aims to upgrade train station amenities and boost the number of passenger trains operating. This reduces journey times between main points to 45 minutes or less, providing greater access to employment opportunities and basic services for more people. The $350 million will be used to extend an electrified commuter rail network between central Casablanca and expanding suburbs such as Zenata, Mohammedia, Nouaceur, and Bouskoura. The project includes the renovation of 73-kilometer stretches of existing railway lines, electric infrastructure, and signaling equipment that would be resilient against the impacts of climate. It will alleviate congestion on existing lines and increase freight transportation capacity to Casablanca's port, an important commercial center. The project also aims to develop or upgrade 15 multimodal rail stations, with accessible design and development practices that promote transit riding. It aims to increase logistics activities, particularly in the Ain Sebaa industrial district, and enhance access to a new logistics park in Zenata. Ahmadou Moustapha Ndiaye, the World Bank's Maghreb and Malta Division Director, said the financing will enhance ONCF's management and operational abilities, helping the operator evolve into a publicly listed company focused on customer service. He described the project as a key step toward sustainable urban development and improved daily life for Casablanca residents. By mid-2031, the program expects to improve transport access for more than half a million people. It will raise the number of jobs reachable by rail within 45 minutes by seven percent and improve access to essential services by a similar margin. This investment marks a turning point in Casablanca's transport system, aiming to connect growing suburbs efficiently while reducing environmental impact and supporting economic growth across the region. Tags: morocco railwaysMorocco transportworld bankworld bank morocco
Ya Biladi
3 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
US Trade Commission launches second review in Morocco phosphate fertilizer case
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has announced it will conduct a second court-ordered remand review in the countervailing duty case involving phosphate fertilizer imports from Morocco, reads a Federal Register document published on Tuesday. This follows an April 22, 2025 ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade, which again asked the Commission to better justify its finding that Moroccan and Russian imports harmed the U.S. domestic industry. The case dates back to March 2021, when the USITC first ruled that phosphate fertilizers from Morocco and Russia materially injured American producers. Morocco's OCP Group challenged the decision in court. Although the Commission reaffirmed its findings in January 2024 after a first remand, the court has now ordered a second review, with no new evidence allowed. Only parties that participated in both the original investigation and the appeal, including OCP, may submit written comments. The deadline for submissions is June 20, 2025.
Morocco World
5 hours ago
- Morocco World
Spain Allocates €113,000 for Halal Meals for Moroccan Military Trainees
The Spanish government has announced a budget of €113,000 (Approximately $129,000) to cover halal meal provisions for Moroccan military personnel currently undergoing training at the state-owned Navantia shipbuilding company. The funding is specifically allocated for catering during the training sessions held at the San Fernando shipyard, under an agreement with Morocco, ensuring all meat served is halal-certified and strictly excluding alcohol and pork products. According to the contract, meals must be nutritious and varied while fully complying with Islamic dietary laws, which means no pork or alcohol, and only halal-certified meats can be used. Navantia is set to train up to 86 Moroccan soldiers between February 2025 and June 2026, preparing them to operate a new naval vessel. S cheduled for delivery in mid-2026, this vessel in question is part of a significant modernization effort by the Royal Moroccan Navy, marking the first warship built by a Spanish shipyard for Morocco in nearly four decades. The ship features a flight deck capable of supporting a 10-ton helicopter or drones, along with a hangar for air operations, and is equipped with two 8-meter rigid-hulled inflatable boats for auxiliary missions. Construction of the vessel— 87 meters long, 13 meters wide, and supports a crew of 60 personnel – is expected to generate over one million work hours and create approximately 1,100 jobs over three and a half years.
