The Moroccan National Office of Railways (ONCF) has awarded two further contracts for civil engineering work on the high-speed rail line between the port of Kenitra and Marrakech.

China’s Shandong Hi-Speed Group Co was awarded a civil works contract worth US$410 million for phase 2, which runs 64 km between Rabat and the town of Zenata. Local contractor Travaux Généraux de Construction de Casablanca was awarded a US$205 million contract for civil works for phase 4 of the line – a 51 km stretch. In early September 2024, China Railway Number 4 was chosen to carry out civil works on phase 1 of the scheme.

The packages are part of an extension of the high-speed line between Tangiers and Kenitra to Marrakech, via Rabat and Casablanca. The 430 km line is being built by the Moroccan National Office of Railways (ONCF) and is project managed by French engineers Egis and Systra, as well as Morocco’s Novec. As well as laying track, the project will refurbish the stations along the route, which includes the urban centers of Rabat, Salé and Casablanca. There will also be two terminal stations and a maintenance workshop. When complete, in time for the 2030 World Cup finals, the line will allow trains to run at 320 km/h.