By 2040, Morocco aims to export train wagons to the European and African markets as part of a strategic plan with a total value of 400 billion dirhams. This was revealed by the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayouh, who spoke before the Commission on Infrastructure, Energy and Mines.
Morocco’s ambition for this sector continues to grow. After investing in internal transport, Morocco is preparing to target exports. The Kingdom is fully committed to making the internal railway landscape a model of modernity and connectivity, while opening the possibility of exporting to European and African markets by 2040, as part of a strategic plan of total value of 400 billion dirhams.
The strategy of the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, presented Tuesday to the House of Representatives, revealed details regarding the modernization of different types of transport, taking into account the challenges ahead for Morocco. It includes the implementation of the Moroccan railway plan for 2040.
According to the presentation, this plan, designed in a participatory approach to outline the future of rail transport in the medium and long term, takes into consideration economic developments, as well as the policy put in place for the development of different types of transport, without forgetting the anticipated needs for passenger and freight transport, as well as increasing urbanization.
The plan includes, according to the same source, projects aimed at maintaining the robustness of the current network and improving its efficiency, as well as others concerning the rail connection of the new ports, in line with the national strategy relating to contribution and monitoring of port, industrial and logistics developments.
In addition, the ministry plans to launch projects to extend the network by rail lines at a maximum speed of 160 km/h, towards cities not currently connected to rail service, while taking into account the economic efficiency of the rail system and its impact on land use planning.
Projects will also be launched to expand the network with high-speed lines connecting the exchange centers, choosing a speed system varying between 220 and 320 km/h.
The direct economic benefits of this plan include the connection of 43 Moroccan cities instead of 23 currently to the railway network, as well as the connection of 87% of the population compared to 51% currently, the connection of 12 ports compared to 6 currently, and that of 15 international airports instead of just one.
-It is also expected that these projects, intended to develop railway infrastructure and improve the quality of services, will create around 300,000 jobs, with investments estimated at 96 billion dirhams by 2030, of which 53 billion dirhams will be allocated to the construction of the high-speed rail line between Kenitra and Marrakech, as well as the development of regional rail transport on the current network.
The ministry has allocated 14 billion dirhams for the creation or rehabilitation of around forty stations, and investments have been allocated to maintain the efficiency of the national network. In addition, 29 billion dirhams are intended for the acquisition of 18 high-speed trains and 150 multi-purpose trains.
The ministry considers that the increase in the needs of the national railway office for wagons represents an opportunity to develop a railway industrial system which strengthens Morocco’s independence in the railway sector, with the possibility of exporting to markets. Africans and Europeans.
The strategy is based on three axes: the first concerns industrial activity with the creation and launch of a local train manufacturing unit, as well as the development of a system of suppliers and subcontractors.
The second axis, relating to maintenance, concerns the creation of a joint project between manufacturers and the national railway office to guarantee regular and industrial maintenance, while monitoring costs.
The third axis concerns exports, which aims to direct the industrial production unit towards the development of exports to African and European markets.
