Morocco Imports 6,457 Rails from China for High-Speed Railway

Marrakech – Morocco is set to receive its first shipment of 6,457 steel rails from China for the Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed railway project. The 36-meter rails departed from Bayuquan Port in Liaoning Province on November 15, marking the completion of the first batch delivery by China Railway Material Group Hong Kong Macau Co.

According to Chinese media, the shipment represents 13,000 tons of domestically manufactured high-speed rail equipment destined for a key Belt and Road Initiative cooperation project between China and Morocco.

The Liaoning Border Inspection Station provided streamlined customs clearance services to ensure zero waiting times for the vessel carrying the Chinese-manufactured products.

The rail delivery stems from a major contract awarded earlier this year for the construction of Morocco’s second high-speed line. In April, Medias24 reported that a consortium of three Chinese companies won the tender to supply new rails worth $51.6 million after presenting the most competitive bid to the National Railway Office (ONCF).

The winning consortium includes China Railway Material Group Hong Kong Macau Co, alongside Angang Steel Company Limited. Their contract covers manufacturing 60 E1 rails measuring 36 meters, transporting them from production facilities to Casablanca port, and conditioning them on flat wagons provided by ONCF within an 18-month execution period.

China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) announced in June its successful bid for steel rail supply for a contract estimated at over MAD 600 million ($60 million), marking China’s first export of high-speed train steel to Africa. The project requires 60,000 tons of manganese steel Rails 260, measuring 36 meters and conforming to European Standard 60 E1 specifications.

CRCC stated its winning proposal included a comprehensive Chinese solution covering design, manufacturing, storage, transportation, port handling, and overseas shipping. This integrated approach helped the company outcompete five rivals from Spain, Italy, and other European countries. Complete delivery is scheduled by 2026 according to construction timelines.

The Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed line represents the second phase of Morocco’s high-speed rail development scheme. King Mohammed VI officially launched construction work in April at Rabat-Agdal station for the MAD 53 billion ($5.3 billion) project spanning 430 kilometers.

The new line will connect Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech, serving both airports with trains capable of reaching 350 km/h speeds. Travel times will be reduced to one hour between Tangier and Rabat, 1 hour 40 minutes to Casablanca, and 2 hours 40 minutes to Marrakech.

ONCF has allocated civil engineering contracts worth billions of dirhams to various international companies. Chinese firms REG and Shandong Hi-Speed Engineering Construction received lots 1 and 2 for MAD 3.4 billion ($340 million) and MAD 4 billion ($400 million) respectively, while French company GTR secured lot 3 for MAD 2.22 billion ($222 million).

The project includes terminal zone development in Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech, railway equipment installation, new high-speed stations construction, and a maintenance center in Marrakech. Technical testing will begin in January 2029 on the Kenitra-Marrakech section, with commercial service starting in November 2029.

ONCF expects the line to transport 100 million passengers annually, including 12 million on the existing Al Boraq service, while reducing carbon emissions by 360,000 tons per year. The railway will complement Morocco’s transportation infrastructure ahead of the 2030 World Cup.