https://arab.news/v87ds
- They include 18 high-speed trains from Alstom
- The ONCF said the purchases aimed to contribute to 鈥渢he successful joint organization of the 2030 FIFA World Cup鈥�
RABAT: Morocco announced on Wednesday it would buy up to 168 trains from Spain鈥檚 CAF, South Korea鈥檚 Hyundai and France鈥檚 Alstom for $2.9 billion as part of preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup it is co-hosting with Spain and Portugal.
The National Railway Office (ONCF) said in a statement that it had awarded the contracts for the 鈥渘ew train acquisition program, with a total cost of 29 billion dirhams, as part of the development plan for 2030.鈥�
They include 18 high-speed trains from Alstom, sealing a deal first mentioned during French President Emmanuel Macron鈥檚 visit to Rabat in October.
Morocco already has one 350-kilometer (220-mile) high-speed railway line between the coastal cities of Tangier and Casablanca, and is planning a second that will extend 400 kilometers (250 miles) from Kenitra on the coast to Marrakech in the interior.
The first line, built by Alstom, has been in operation since 2018.
The contract with Spain鈥檚 CAF is for 30 intercity trains with an option for a further 10, while the deal with Hyundai Rotem is for 110 commuter trains.
The ONCF said the purchases aimed to contribute to 鈥渢he successful joint organization of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.鈥�
It said it also aimed to develop the domestic railway industry, with a local factory for commuter trains and 鈥渢he ambition to export trains in the medium and long term.鈥�