German rail company Vossloh locked in a EUR 75 million contract with Morocco’s national railway operator, ONCF, to supply rail fastening and switch systems for a new high-speed line between Casablanca and Marrakesh, according to a statement from the company on Tuesday.
The new line, expected to handle trains traveling at speeds up to 320 km/h, would cut travel time significantly between the two cities.
Signed on October 28, 2024, in Rabat, in the presence of Morocco’s King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron and his accompanying business delegation, the contracts include switch systems and components valued at roughly EUR 50 million, with rail fastening systems rounding out the agreement at EUR 25 million.
Deliveries of the rail fasteners will take place later this year, while shipments of the switch systems are slated to begin in 2025.
The construction timeline would support Morocco’s rail infrastructure growth in time for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which is expected to significantly increase the demand for fast and efficient transportation between Morocco’s major cities.
Currently, high-speed trains in Morocco can attain speeds of up to 300 km/h only on the Tangier-Kenitra line. By 2040, the country plans to expand its high-speed rail network to a total of 1,300 kilometers.
“We are delighted that this important customer has once again placed its trust in us,” said Oliver Schuster, CEO of Vossloh AG.
He highlighted that Vossloh’s high-quality, reliable products meet the high standards necessary for Morocco’s high-speed rail system, adding that the company has been supporting Morocco’s push for sustainable transport solutions for several decades. “We are pleased that we can continue to contribute to the promotion of green mobility in the region.”