South Korean company Hyundai Rotem is the frontrunner for a $1.6 billion contract to supply 168 trains to Morocco, including 18 high-speed trains. The delivery to ONCF is scheduled between 2027 and 2030.
Competition is fierce, with offers from France, Spain, China, Japan, and Germany. Hyundai Rotem’s executives recently met with Moroccan Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, to discuss their rail expertise and industrial capacity.
Ryad Mezzour shared on Facebook his meeting with Yung Bai Lee, CEO of Hyundai Rotem, in Casablanca.
Hyundai Rotem is among seven companies vying for the contract, along with Talgo and CAF (Spain), Alstom (France), Hitachi (Japan), CRCC (China), and Siemens Mobility (Germany).
In November 2023, ONCF launched a call for tenders for acquiring new trains and developing the national rail industry. Three manufacturers, CAF, Hyundai Rotem, and Alstom, submitted complete proposals.
The ONCF contract also includes a 20-year maintenance agreement and a local production integration rate. ONCF’s final decision is expected by the end of October, marking a significant step for Morocco’s rail network.
