| Work Detail |
Implementing the multi-billion Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed railway line in Morocco is slowly taking shape. This is after The Chinese public railway operator China Railway NO.4 Engineering Group Co (CREC 4) won the first batch of civil engineering works for the Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed line megaproject. The total value of 3.4 billion dirhams, equating to $350 million, covers these works’ implementation scope. The Moroccan National Office of Railways (ONCF) was responsible for selecting the Chinese conglomerate to carry out these essential works for the high-speed railway line. The line seeks to stretch from Kenitra to Marrakech, two significant enclaves in Morocco separated by about 400 kilometers. The final decision of the ONCF was for the Chinese bid, which was the lowest in terms of cost. The project’s implementation and delivery steadily manifest as Morocco seeks to bring in other contractors.
Project Factsheet
Location: Kentira and Marrakech
Distance: 400 kilometers
Country: Morocco
Significance: Promote transportation between Kenitra and Marrakech
Project duration: 4 years
Cost of Phase: U.S. $4.2 Billion
State of Affairs Regarding Construction of the Kenitra-Marrakech High-speed Railway Line
The multi-billion Kenitra-Marrakech railway project’s construction scope is expected in various subsets and phases. Firstly, the civil engineering works for the project to extend the LGV service to Kenitra and Marrakech will be started. This follows the award of the first lot for “earthworks, engineering structures, communications restoration, and fencing,” as officially reported. CREC 4’s bid was lower than others submitted by highly reputable companies, such as the China Railway 20 TH Bureau Group (9 billion dirhams), GPRT NGE Contracting/Guintoli (4.2 billion dirhams) and China Overseas Engineering Group (3.9 billion dirhams).It was also lower than that of TGCC (4.2 billion dirhams). CREC 4’s proposal won out over the others as it was financially advantageous. Furthermore, it was technically sound, meeting the requirements of a project such as the high-speed line. The construction project for the extension of the high-speed line is nearing completion as part of Morocco’s development plan. It also coincides with Morocco’s preparations to host the 2030 World Cup. |
