Latest news with #NationalRailwaysOffice
Morocco World
20-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
ONCF Awarded ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery Certification for All Operations
Rabat – Morocco's National Railways Office (ONCF) has announced receiving the ISO 37001 certification for its Anti-Bribery Management System. The certificate was granted on March 3 and covers all ONCF activities and work sites across the country, the company said in a press release. It added that the Moroccan Institute for Standardization (IMANOR) issued the certification after a thorough audit carried out between January 27 and 29 this year. The ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery Certification is an internationally recognized standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to help organizations prevent, detect, and address bribery. It was published in 2016 to provide a framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an anti-bribery management system (ABMS). ONCF says this recognition reflects its strong commitment to ethics, transparency, and responsible governance. By obtaining the ISO 37001 certificate, ONCF says it aims to build a workplace culture based on integrity and the prevention of bribery risks, following the best international practices. The anti-bribery system features a defined policy that aligns with international standards. It includes a comprehensive framework for preventing and managing bribery risks, a system for identifying and handling conflicts of interest, continuous training and awareness programs for employees, and a secure whistleblowing mechanism that promotes transparency and accountability across the organization. ONCF also stated that it has carefully identified, analyzed, and addressed all bribery-related risks as part of its continuous improvement strategy. This certification reflects the collaborative efforts and strong mobilization of its teams, the company noted, concluding that it marks an important milestone in reinforcing good governance and a strong ethical foundation within the organization.
Morocco World
25-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Emmanuel Macron Applauds Morocco's Kénitra-Marrakech High-Speed Rail
Doha – French President Emmanuel Macron has saluted Morocco's launch of construction works for the Kénitra-Marrakech high-speed rail line (LGV), a major infrastructure project inaugurated by King Mohammed VI on Thursday at the Rabat-Agdal train station. 'Franco-Moroccan cooperation is advancing at high speed! His Majesty King Mohammed VI launched yesterday the works on the new high-speed rail line between Kénitra and Marrakech,' Macron wrote today on social media platform X. 'This is the concrete result of partnerships formed between our companies during my state visit to Morocco last October,' he added, concluding: 'Long live the friendship between Morocco and France!' The 430-kilometer line represents a MAD 53 billion ($5.3 billion) investment, excluding rolling stock. It forms part of a larger MAD 96 billion ($9.6 billion) program that includes the acquisition of 168 new trains for MAD 29 billion ($2.9 billion). According to Khalid Khairane, director of high-speed rail projects at Morocco's National Railways Office (ONCF), construction will proceed according to the established timeline to be ready for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal. 'In 2029, we will begin testing on this line to start operations at the end of the same year,' Khairane told the press, noting that studies for the project began in 2022 and three-quarters of the required land has already been acquired. The new line will drastically cut travel times along Morocco's key economic corridor. Journeys will take just 1 hour between Tangier and Rabat, and 1 hour 15 minutes between Casablanca and Marrakech. Read also: Morocco's $9.6 Billion Investment Plan to Connect 43 Cities by 2040 Travel between Tangier and Casablanca, as well as Rabat and Marrakech, will be reduced to 1 hour 40 minutes, while the full stretch from Tangier to Marrakech will take only 2 hours 40 minutes—saving more than 2 hours compared to current travel times. The LGV will also connect Rabat to Casablanca's Mohammed V International Airport in just 35 minutes while serving the new Benslimane stadium. Additionally, high-speed service between Fez and Marrakech will take 3 hours 40 minutes. Luciano Borges, director of equipment at ONCF, revealed that the project includes the acquisition of 18 new-generation high-speed trains (320 km/h) with a capacity of 641 seats each, to be supplied by French manufacturer Alstom. This will expand Morocco's current fleet from twelve to thirty trains. 'Beyond the high recyclability criteria required for these trains (over 97%), the selection process of manufacturers has established judicious partnerships for controlled maintenance through the development of suitable industrial tools,' Borges explained. The high-speed line will serve 59% of Morocco's population and connect economic regions representing more than 67% of the national GDP. It will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs while stimulating several sectors, including industry, services, and tourism. The international press has widely covered the project launch, with Business Insider Africa writing that it 'reinforces Morocco's position as a continental leader in infrastructure development,' noting that the country already operates Africa's only functional high-speed rail network. The project reflects Morocco's strategic vision for sustainable development, particularly promoting collective mobility solutions with a low carbon footprint, while positioning its high-speed rail as a technological showcase for African countries seeking fast and sustainable transport solutions. Tags: Emmanuel MacronKenitra MarrakechMorocco France Relations
Morocco World
24-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
King Mohammed VI Launches Construction of Kenitra-Marrakech High-Speed Rail Project
Doha – King Mohammed VI launched construction work Thursday on the Kenitra-Marrakech High-Speed Rail Line (LGV) at Rabat-Agdal train station, paving the way for a new era of ultra-modern rail infrastructure across the country. The 430-kilometer project forms part of a comprehensive MAD 96 billion ($9.6 billion) railway development program that will transform the country's transportation network. The Kenitra-Marrakech LGV, budgeted at MAD 53 billion ($5.3 billion) excluding rolling stock, reflects Morocco's strategic vision for sustainable development, particularly the promotion of low-carbon collective mobility solutions. 'This project demonstrates Morocco's firm determination to continue developing the national rail network,' said an official statement during the ceremony, noting the railway's role as 'the backbone of a sustainable and inclusive transport system.' The high-speed line will connect Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech while serving Rabat and Casablanca airports. It will drastically reduce travel times, with journeys between Tangier and Rabat taking just one hour, Tangier to Casablanca 1 hour 40 minutes, and Tangier to Marrakech 2 hours 40 minutes — saving over two hours compared to current durations. Additionally, the project will link Rabat to Casablanca's Mohammed V International Airport in 35 minutes, with service to the new Benslimane stadium. High-speed service between Fez and Marrakech will take 3 hours 40 minutes, with trains running on conventional tracks from Fez to northern Kenitra before switching to the new high-speed line to Marrakech. The project's technical specifications include constructing a new line designed for speeds up to 350 km/h, terminal zone developments in Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech, railway equipment installations, new high-speed stations, commuter train stations, and renovations to existing facilities. A maintenance center for trainsets will also be built in Marrakech. Concurrent with the rail line launch, the National Railways Office (ONCF) announced an unprecedented program to acquire 168 new trains at a cost of MAD 29 billion ($2.9 billion). This investment will strengthen and rejuvenate the entire passenger fleet, including 18 high-speed trains, 40 line service trains, 60 rapid shuttle trains, and 50 commuter trains for metropolitan transit networks in Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech. The acquisition program will foster the emergence of a domestic railway manufacturing ecosystem with over 40% local integration, supporting Moroccan businesses and expertise. 'With a local integration rate exceeding 40%, the program demonstrates strong commitment to Moroccan companies and skills,' noted railway officials at the event, adding that it will have 'inevitable positive implications for supporting the national economy, reducing transport costs, and promoting sustainable development.' The program rests on two main components: an industrial dimension establishing a train manufacturing facility with a supplier and subcontractor ecosystem, and a joint venture between manufacturers and ONCF for maintenance throughout the trains' lifecycles. This 10-year modernization initiative promises to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs while training specialized human resources. The transformative project involves renowned international companies, including France's Alstom for high-speed rolling stock, Spain's CAF for inter-city trains capable of 200 km/h, and South Korea's Hyundai Rotem for metropolitan commuter trains, all secured with preferential financing terms. Beyond extending high-speed rail to Marrakech, this comprehensive modernization represents a renaissance for Morocco's entire railway network, modernizing and renewing the ONCF train fleet while creating a rail-based public transport network and an industrial ecosystem with significant economic potential.
Morocco World
13-02-2025
- Automotive
- Morocco World
The Green Revolution: Morocco Takes the Lead in Africa's Sustainable Mobility Future
Rabat – As the world is grappling with climate change and urbanization challenges, Morocco is keen to prove itself as an unexpected pioneer in sustainable and green mobility. The North African country isn't only adapting to the green mobility transition but also positioning itself to lead it, with ambitious plans that could reshape the African continent's transportation landscape. At the recent Green Impact Expo & Summit 2025 (GIES2025) in Casablanca, Industry and Trade Minister Ryad Mezzour unveiled a bold vision that would place Morocco among an elite group of nations with complete electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing capabilities. No longer a distant goal, but an attainable unfolding reality. Morocco is set to join the top elite of just six countries worldwide capable of processing every aspect of EV production, from raw materials to finished vehicles. Looking at it from the big picture, Morocco's approach is particularly noteworthy, as the country is building an end-to-end ecosystem, a distinction that could have far-reaching economic and environmental implications. The secret to the North African country's strategic advantage? Its natural resources, particularly its phosphate and cobalt, which are crucial components in battery production. Building on these resources and developing manufacturing capabilities for every battery component – from anodes to electrolytes – Morocco is aiming to establish a cornerwise integrated supply chain that could triple its exports by early 2030. Morocco's sustainable outlooks, from manufacturing to mobility But Morocco's sustainable mobility ambitions extend far beyond manufacturing. A revolutionary transformation is underway in the country's public transportation system, with plans to procure 7,000 electric buses. This initiative, aptly clocked to coincide with the 2030 FIFA World Cup, reflects the country's drive to implement practical, sustainable mobility solutions. Morocco has already made strides in such pioneering initiatives. Casablanca's tramway system has become a model for sustainable urban transit in the African continent. Having transported over 357 million passengers over the past decade, the system proves that clean public transport can be both efficient and popular. The tramway's impact extends beyond mobility. The eco-friendly transport system has manifested into a catalyst for urban green regeneration in Casablanca. Over the past 10 years, Morocco's economic capital has planted over 2,200 trees, proving greener objectives being realized on-ground. Meanwhile, Morocco's railway sector is equally ambitious. The National Railways Office (ONCF) has announced a substantial investment plan of nearly $939 million for 2025-2027, focusing on infrastructure modernization and new rolling stock acquisition. This investment, coupled with plans for extending high-speed rail services and establishing regional express networks in major metropolitan areas, shows Morocco's commitment to comprehensive transport solutions. The numbers tell a compelling story. ONCF's Al Boraq high-speed trains carried 5.2 million passengers in 2023, a 25% increase from the previous year. Overall railway ridership reached 53 million passengers, with projections targeting further growth. These figures reflect not just statistical success but a fundamental shift in how Moroccans view and use public transportation – and with ONCF's green railway technologies, they can continue with a sound climate conscience. Nearly all of Morocco's trains are operating using green energy, according to a recent announcement by the railway company. In 2018, ONCF launched Al Boraq as the first fully electric high-speed railway system in Africa, aiming to shift away from carbon-intensive carbon alternatives and promote more eco-friendly rail transport. The timing of these initiatives is crucial. As the world races to meet climate goals and African cities face growing mobility challenges, Morocco's model could provide a blueprint for sustainable development across the continent. Climate change challenges Morocco's approach to green and sustainable transportation comes at a time when the international community is scrambling to meet climate change targets, as the countdown clock of irreversible damage continues to tick. The vision strongly reflects that environmental sustainability and economic growth aren't mutually exclusive, but are fundamentally mutually reinforcing. As temperatures and tensions heat up, Morocco is determined to position itself as a major player in the fight against global warming and climate change-related challenges. While the country's innovative sustainable mobility initiatives are transforming domestic transportation, they are simultaneously setting a powerful example of how countries can align development goals with climate commitments under the Paris Agreement and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On the world stage, Morocco's commitment to climate action is not recent. The country was one of the first nations to ratify the Paris Agreement and host COP22 in Marrakech and has consistently demonstrated leadership in climate policy. The North African country is showing commitment to SDGs, including but not limited to the Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9). Morocco's revolutionary approach to green and sustainable mobility is in line with these goals. Green Impact Expo & Summit 2025 Morocco's green achievements are no secret. Not only does the North African country continue to share its expertise at different continental and global functions, but hosts gatherings of leaders, innovators, and like-minded thinkers who are also eager to reduce humanity's footprint. One of the most notable recent examples was Casaablanca's hosting of the inaugural edition of Green Impact Expo & Summit 2025, which provided an opportunity for Morocco to cement its green and sustainable mobility transition initiatives. GIES2025 was a platform that brought industry leaders, government officials, and international experts to convene around the current challenges of green mobility and chart the path toward a sustainable transportation industry. Over the course of the three-day summit, discussions took place surrounding key topics in green mobility and decarbonization of transport. On the agenda was a strategic agora-style meeting on transport decarbonization, and a specialized workshop on skills transition for sustainable mobility, which focused on preparing businesses and talent for future challenges. More than just passive talk, the event not only brought these innovative ideas in sustainable mobility transitions to the table, but also how to pay for their implementation. Panelists also covered the logistics of this public transportation shift, including the changes to infrastructure and services across territories. One standout workshop was led by Ayvens automobile agency, which shared global insights on the transition to electric mobility thus providing an expanded vision of how to move to more eco-friendly transportation systems. GIES2025 further cemented Morocco's position as an industrial hub and the central leader of Africa's green mobility transformation, an ambitious initiative to help fellow African countries in their journey towards a more sustainable transportation system. Today, many parts of the world continue to turn their eyes away from the pressing responsibilities to combat the damaging effects of climate change, opting for quick fix, money-hungry fossil fuel solutions. In this heated climate, Morocco stands out not only as an unlikely leader but an emerging model, facing these challenges head-on. Read also: Climate Impulse Celebrates First Anniversary with Major Advances in Green Aviation Tags: AfricaGreen Mobilitygreen transportMobilitymorocco's green mobility
