With the Kenitra-Marrakech LGV Project, Morocco has reaffirmed its ambition to become a regional leader in modern rail transport, while strengthening social and economic ties between its major cities.
The Moroccan National Railways Office (ONCF) has awarded China Railway No.4 Engineering (CREC 4), a subsidiary of CRRC, the contract for the first batch of civil engineering works for the Kenitra-Marrakech High
Speed Rail Line (HSL) project. This contract is valued at 3.4 billion dirhams, or €316 million.
The ONCF’s decision in favour of CREC 4 follows a competitive call for tenders, bringing together several companies. The competitors included the GRPT SNCE/CAPEP/SEPROB consortium, GTR, as well as other industry players, including China Railway 20TH Bureau Group and TGCC, with proposals of up to MAD 4.2 billion (€390 million). CREC 4’s bid stood out for its financially advantageous and technically sound offer, meeting the project requirements.
CREC 4, as a subsidiary of CRRC, benefits from the expertise and resources of this railway rolling stock manufacturer. The CRRC group, renowned for its railcar and locomotive production capabilities, has
expanded its international presence with contracts in 116 countries, serving diversified markets. This experience gives CREC 4 a competitive advantage in carrying out complex projects such as the Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed rail line.
This project involves the creation of a dedicated high-speed line, connections with existing lines, as well as the modernization and development of stations along the Kenitra-Rabat-Casablanca-Marrakech axis. The infrastructure will also include terminal facilities, maintenance bases, and a workshop for the maintenance of high-speed trains.
The route of the new high-speed line will involve key infrastructures, such as the Kenitra maintenance base, the bypass of the Rabat tunnel, and a passage through the new Nouaceur hub, before reaching Marrakech.
This route aims to shorten journey times and revitalize the rail network to meet the expected demographic and economic growth in the region.
The completion of the Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed line project represents a lever for economic development for Morocco, stimulating local employment and strengthening national technological capacities.
The project also aims to attract additional foreign investment, consolidating the Kingdom’s position as a regional hub for modern and sustainable transport.
The project is part of a sustainability approach, focused on reducing the carbon footprint of the transport sector. The integration of advanced and environmentally friendly technologies could serve as an example for future initiatives in the field of urban and interurban infrastructure in Africa and beyond.
MN/Sf/ac/fss/GIK/APA