Morocco: High-Speed Rail Blitz Ahead of Football Fever, Tenders Issued For 375Km Link To Marrakech

As Morocco gear-up to co-host the FIFA 2030 World Cup, the North African nation has issued a tender for a high-speed rail link as part of its $37 billion strategy to connect more of its cities, ports and airports by train.

Morocco's national railway, ONCF, has invited bids to undertake the construction of a 375-kilometre railway line, extending from Kenitra on the northwest coast to the picturesque city of Marrakech in the south.

This expansive project, which is being offered in seven lots ranging between 36 and 64 kilometres, will traverse bustling metropolitan areas including Rabat-Sale, the vibrant city of Casablanca, and the historic gem that is Marrakech.

The tender includes the design and construction of the infrastructure, tailored to accommodate high-speed trains travelling at speeds of up to 350 kilometres per hour. Additionally, it includes the establishment of stations, advanced signaling systems, telecommunications infrastructure, and a maintenance centre in Marrakech.

Companies have until 23 June to submit their interest to ONCF.

According to the International Railway Journal (IRJ), Egis, a construction engineering specialist, was chosen as the general consultant for the project in 2022.

The high-speed line is a crucial part of Morocco's $37 billion plan to upgrade its rail system. The aim is to connect 43 cities and create 300,000 jobs by 2040, while increasing rail access to 87 per cent of the population, up from just over 50 per cent currently.

Last November, ONCF announced plans to purchase 168 trains, including 18 high-speed vehicles, five years after launching Morocco's first high-speed line, Al Boraq, which runs from Tangier to Casablanca.

The delivery schedule is spread between 2027 and 2030, according to ONCF.

The rail operator stressed the significance of improving services as Morocco gears up to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. To mark the tournament's centenary, three matches will be played in South America.