Morocco to Purchase 168 New Trains: Hyundai Rotem and Global Giants Compete for the Contract

The Moroccan National Railway Office (ONCF) has announced plans to acquire 168 new trains as part of its efforts to further develop the country’s transportation system, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Negotiations for the international tender (DC01/PM/2023) began on September 9, and the leading contenders for the contract include South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem, along with global transportation engineering giants such as France’s Alstom, Spain’s Talgo and CAF, and China’s CRRC.

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The contract is estimated at $1.6 billion (approximately 16 billion Moroccan dirhams), making it one of the largest railway deals in Morocco’s history.

The project is divided into four main components: the acquisition of 18 high-speed trains (LGV), 40 intercity trains, 60 trains for shuttle routes (TNR), and 50 trains for the regional express network (RER).

This initiative is part of Morocco’s broader strategy to modernize and expand its railway infrastructure.

The new rolling stock is expected to significantly improve the quality of railway services in the kingdom, enhancing regional connectivity and expanding both passenger and freight transport capabilities.

High-speed trains will reduce travel times, while intercity and regional trains will improve the accessibility of transportation services in remote areas.

The modernization of Morocco’s railway system is a key element in the country’s plan to develop its transportation infrastructure.

In recent years, ONCF has been actively working on improving service quality and expanding the network to meet the growing demands of the economy and population.

As part of this initiative, projects not only focus on the procurement of new rolling stock but also on the construction of new railway lines and the renovation of existing routes.

The process of selecting the winning bidder and signing the contract with one of the companies may take several months, given the strategic importance and scale of the project for Morocco.

Photo: Hyundai Rotem, source: fesnews.media

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