ONCF Denies High-Speed Contract Award for Marrakech-Agadir Line
The Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF) swiftly addressed today's misleading reports suggesting a Chinese company was set to secure the contract for constructing the new high-speed rail line connecting Marrakech to Agadir.
In a decisive press statement, the national railway operator clarified that while a preliminary study for the multi-billion dollar project had been commissioned from China Railway Design Corporation (CRDC), this did not imply an automatic contract award to the Chinese firm.
ONCF emphasized that CRDC was chosen to conduct the feasibility study through a rigorous open international bidding process, which attracted participation from companies worldwide. The selection of CRDC was based on their competitive tender, as highlighted by ONCF.
Furthermore, ONCF emphasized that the final decision on awarding the construction contract would only occur after the completion of all design and preparatory studies. The company assured stakeholders of forthcoming transparent communication regarding the contract award once all details were finalized.
Morocco's burgeoning high-speed network has garnered interest from prominent construction firms in France, Spain, and China. These firms are expected to compete for the opportunity to contribute to Morocco's ambitious goal of reducing travel times between Marrakech and the Atlantic port of Agadir.