Mohammed VI launches construction of new Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed rail line
The King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, inaugurated the new high-speed train line linking the cities of Kenitra and Marrakech from Rabat station.
This new 430-kilometre project will reduce travel times between the country's main cities and key points such as the airports of Casablanca and Rabat, and the port of Tangier Med. In addition, the development of the works is part of the sustainable development and low carbon footprint objectives, and will continue the development of a first-class national road network.
The works are part of the national budget of 9.6 billion dollars, which includes, in addition to the new project, the acquisition of 168 trains to renew the country's current fleet. Specifically, 5.3 billion will be allocated to this new project. In addition, the project will also invest 1.4 billion in the maintenance of the metropolitan train network connecting Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech.
The programme has two main components: industrial and business. On the industrial side, the project hopes to start an industrial unit for the maintenance and development of machinery that will serve as a base for establishing suppliers and subcontractors.
On the business side, the National Railways Office (ONCF) plans to expand its customer base to include new companies that will create jobs, support the national economy and reduce transport costs.
Through this new project, the ONCF hopes to link the country's main economic and development hubs by high-speed train. The first impact of the project will be on travel times.
Currently, travel times between Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier and Kenitra are as follows: Marrakesh - Casablanca: 3 hours; Casablanca - Tangier: 2 hours; Rabat - Marrakesh: 3 hours 40 minutes; Tangier - Kenitra: 1 hour; Rabat - Casablanca: 1 hour; Tangier - Rabat: 1 hour 42 minutes.
However, when the works are completed, these times will be reduced by between 40 and 50%. According to ONCF estimates, the journey between Tangier and Rabat will be reduced by 42 minutes to one hour; between Tangier and Casablanca it will be reduced by 20 minutes to one hour and 40 minutes; and between Marrakech and Casablanca it will be reduced by 40 minutes to two hours.
In addition, the distance to the country's main airports will be reduced to 35 minutes from the centre of Rabat to Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca, compared to the current 50 minutes.
All these reductions in journey times are due to the speeds of 350 kilometres per hour that the ONFC's new high-speed trains will be able to reach at various points along the route, as well as the creation of several stations along the route and the development of a train maintenance centre in Marrakech.
In addition to the budgets presented above, the ONFC will have more than 2.9 billion dollars to cope with the exponential increase in passengers, especially in view of the 2030 World Cup.
To ensure proper operation, the National Railways Office will establish 60 shuttle trains, 18 high-speed trains, 40 trains for long-distance services, and 50 for short- and medium-distance trains in the country's main urban areas: Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech. These projects would not be possible if the high rate of integration of the Moroccan population, close to 40%, had not reached these levels.
With its sights set on the next decade, Morocco hopes that the boost to the railways will help train young Moroccans in this specialisation, as well as creating direct jobs for the ONFC and indirect jobs for companies working with the National Railways Office, such as the French company Alstom and the South Korean company Hyundai Rotem, the main international companies that have supported the development of Morocco's national infrastructure.