فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
South Korea has intensified its efforts to secure a massive train supply contract for Morocco, with Korean company Hyundai Rotem vying for a $1.6 billion deal to provide 168 trains to the Moroccan National Railways Office (ONCF).
As part of these efforts, Moroccan Minister of Transport and Logistics, Mohammed Abdeljalil, held a meeting with his Korean counterpart, Sangwoo Park, last Thursday. According to a press release, the two parties discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the transport sector, with a particular focus on railways.
The Korean side expressed its readiness to share expertise with Morocco in railway industry and infrastructure, including the transfer of skills in railway maintenance and construction, as well as human resources training.
On the sidelines of this meeting, Hyundai Rotem CEO, Lee Young-bae, met with the Moroccan Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, to showcase the high-speed electric traction trains “KTX”. Young-bae also announced the company’s intention to build a train manufacturing plant in Morocco and transfer related technology to the kingdom.
It’s worth noting that the ONCF will soon receive offers to participate in its international tender for the acquisition of 168 trains, including 150 trains for intercity services, rapid shuttle trains, and metropolitan trains, in addition to 18 high-speed trains.
According to press sources, five global companies are competing for this deal: French Alstom, Spanish Talgo and CAF, Korean Hyundai Rotem, and Chinese CRRC.
This massive project comes as part of Morocco’s efforts to modernize and expand its railway network, which will enhance the country’s transport infrastructure and support long-term economic growth.
The Korean delegation’s visit, led by a high-ranking official and accompanied by a large team, primarily aims to support Hyundai Rotem’s bid for the ONCF tender. This move underscores the strategic importance of the deal for both Morocco’s infrastructure development and South Korea’s ambitions in the global railway industry.
As the deadline for submitting bids approaches, the competition among the international contenders is expected to intensify, with each company leveraging its technological prowess and diplomatic ties to secure this significant contract.
