Latest news with #NationalRailwayOffice
Morocco World
25-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
ONCF Officials Commend Skillset of National Workers for the Kenitra-Marrakech TGV Line
Rabat — Morocco's National Railway Office (ONCF) has stressed the importance of Morocco's skilled workforce working on the recently launched Kenitra-Marrakech High Speed Line project. Khalid Khairane, the director of the high-speed line projects division at ONCF, said on Thursday that the new line will be carried out according to the established schedule to be ready for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Khairane welcomed the national skills capable of carrying out this type of structuring of the project, explaining that the new high-speed line will reduce the travel time between Tangier and Rabat, as well as between Tangier and Casablanca. Travel time between Tangier and Rabat will take only one hour, while travel time between Tangier and Casablanca will be reduced to only 1 hour and 49 minutes. A trip between Marrakech and Tangier will take only 2 hours and 40 minutes. Mohammed Smouni, Assistant Director General at ONCF, also celebrated the launch of the project, noting that the new line will enable the achievement of territorial equity. He said the new project will ensure connectivity between many regions, cities, airports, and major stadiums, noting that it will also strengthen the country's high-speed train network spanning a distance of over 600 kilometers. These new developments place Morocco among the top countries that possess this technology. Luciano Borges, director of the rolling stock division at ONCF, has also given remarks on the importance of the project, noting that it will feature trains with cutting-edge technologies that offer the highest standards in terms of safety and comfort. He recalled that ONCF launched a program to acquire 18 latest-generation high-speed trains with a capacity of 641 seats. The trains will be supplied by French manufacturer ALSTOM. King Mohammed VI launched the construction work of the new line at the Rabat-Agdal train station yesterday. The project is part of a $9.6 billion railway development program aimed at improving the country's transportation network. The Kenitra-Marrakech LGV or TGV is budgeted at $5.3 billion, excluding rolling stock. Minister of Transport Abdelsamad Kayouh said on Thursday that the launch of the project's construction will be a 'new cornerstone and a fundamental support for the national economy.' He also said that the structuring project will shorten distances between several cities by up to 70% compared to the current situation, facilitating the movement of citizens and connectivity between major urban centers — particularly Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech.
Ya Biladi
07-03-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
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.
Morocco World
27-02-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
World Bank Pledges Support for Morocco's FIFA 2030 World Cup Plans
Rabat – World Bank vice president for the Middle East and North Africa, Ousmane Dione, reaffirmed Wednesday in Rabat the institution's commitment to helping Morocco prepare for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. In a meeting with Minister Delegate in Charge of the Budget, Fouzi Lejkaa, Dione noted the need to translate planned investment and infrastructure initiatives into tangible chances for employment, economic growth, and increased competitiveness. He mentioned the strong cooperation between Morocco and the World Bank, citing the variety of projects that have been financed by the institution over the years. Dione commended the country's advancement in priority sectors such as social protection, territorial development, and infrastructure, which have been crucial to the development of the country. Lekjaa also mentioned structural reforms and sectoral strategies as key factors in Morocco's economic growth. The country has centralized its social policies, Lekjaa argued, stressing that it has seen tremendous advancements in railways and sport infrastructures, social protection, sustainable development, and territorial balance. Read also: Morocco, World Bank Partner to Boost Data-Driven Policymaking Lekjaa's sanguine comments about Morocco's railways network come as Hyundai Rotem has closed a historic, MAD 15 billion ($1.5 billion) deal with the country's National Railway Office (ONCF) to supply double-decker trains. Among other key projects are the extension of the high-speed rail link to Marrakech, the launch of regional express rail services, the acquisition of new trains, and the construction of new stations. Lekjaa concluded his comments by pointing to the government's commitment to ensuring that the 2030 World Cup brings lasting benefits to the Moroccan economy. Morocco's World Cup gambit looks to create new avenues for work, business, tourism, crafts, and transport. This means its impact will be felt long after the tournament itself has ended, Lekjaa stressed. Tags: FIFA World Cup 2030world bankworld cup 2030
Ya Biladi
27-02-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Hyundai Rotem secures landmark $1.5 billion contract to modernize Morocco's rail network
DR Hyundai Rotem has signed a historic contract worth 2.2 trillion won ($1.5 billion, or about 15 billion dirhams) with Morocco's National Railway Office (ONCF), marking the largest order in the South Korean company's history. According to Hyundai Rotem's announcement on Wednesday, the agreement involves supplying double-decker trains for Morocco's railway network. These trains, which can reach speeds of up to 160 km/h, will connect Casablanca, Morocco's largest city, to key regions across the country. This project is a major step in modernizing public transport as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal. Hyundai Rotem highlighted that Korail's proposal, which includes technology transfers and training programs, was well received by the Moroccan government. A portion of the train production will take place in Morocco, helping to develop the country's railway industry. Additionally, Hyundai Rotem and the Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail), a state-owned company, will handle train maintenance and repairs through separate agreements with Moroccan authorities. This contract marks Hyundai Rotem's entry into the Moroccan market, a success the company credits to strong collaboration between the public and private sectors. The South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, along with Korail, played a key role in securing the deal against European competitors. Notably, South Korea's Minister of Transport, Park Sang-woo, visited Morocco last year to promote the competitiveness of South Korea's railway sector. «This contract was secured thanks to a 'One Team Korea' approach, where public and private sectors worked together to showcase South Korea's railway expertise on a global scale», said a Hyundai Rotem representative.
Ya Biladi
26-02-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Hyundai Rotem secures landmark $1.5 billion contract to modernize Morocco's rail network
Hyundai Rotem has signed a historic contract worth 2.2 trillion won ($1.5 billion, or about 15 billion dirhams) with Morocco's National Railway Office (ONCF), marking the largest order in the South Korean company's history. According to Hyundai Rotem's announcement on Wednesday, the agreement involves supplying double-decker trains for Morocco's railway network. These trains, which can reach speeds of up to 160 km/h, will connect Casablanca, Morocco's largest city, to key regions across the country. This project is a major step in modernizing public transport as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal. Hyundai Rotem highlighted that Korail's proposal, which includes technology transfers and training programs, was well received by the Moroccan government. A portion of the train production will take place in Morocco, helping to develop the country's railway industry. Additionally, Hyundai Rotem and the Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail), a state-owned company, will handle train maintenance and repairs through separate agreements with Moroccan authorities. This contract marks Hyundai Rotem's entry into the Moroccan market, a success the company credits to strong collaboration between the public and private sectors. The South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, along with Korail, played a key role in securing the deal against European competitors. Notably, South Korea's Minister of Transport, Park Sang-woo, visited Morocco last year to promote the competitiveness of South Korea's railway sector. «This contract was secured thanks to a 'One Team Korea' approach, where public and private sectors worked together to showcase South Korea's railway expertise on a global scale», said a Hyundai Rotem representative.
