Morocco - Project to Increase Capacity on the Tanger-Marrakech Railway Line


Project Summary

Approval Date 17 Dec 2010
Signature Date 17 Mar 2011
Planned Completion Date 31 Oct 2019
Last Disbursement Planned Date 31 Oct 2019
Sovereign / Non-Sovereign Sovereign
Sector Transport
DAC Sector Code 21030
Environmental Category 2
Commitment U.A 228,489,607.53
Status Completion

Project General Description

This project aims at a capacity increase on the Tangiers-Marrakesh railway line concerning the two sections - Kenitra-Rabat-Casablanca and Casablanca-Settat-Marrakesh that link the South to both the North and East of Morocco. Indeed, because of its central geographic position, the 126 km long double track Kenitra-Casablanca railway line is a key link for the development of exchanges between the north, south, east and west of the country. This line plays a key role in National Railway Company (ONCF)’s freight and passenger activities, conveying almost 70% of freight flows (excluding phosphates) and almost 50% of the passenger population. Its current occupation rate exceeds 75%, well beyond the 60% threshold rate recommended by the International Union of Railways (UIC) for track operating. The Casablanca-Marrakech railway line constitutes a lasting solution for transport between Casablanca, the economic megalopolis and Marrakech the biggest tourist centre in the southern part of the country. At an estimated total cost of about MAD 5.1 billion (about EUR 438.2 million), this project is in line with the overall national transport sector development strategy, in particular, the continued upgrading and modernisation of transport infrastructure and services with a view to increasing the national economy’s logistics competitiveness. It is scheduled for implementation over the 2011-2016 period and consists in : (i) strengthening works on the existing tracks, including the construction of a third track, 148 km long between Zenata and Kenitra dedicated to freight along the existing KenitraRabat-Casablanca line ; and (ii) upgrading and partial double tracking works on 40km between Settat and Marrakech on the Casablanca-Marrakesh line.

Project Objectives

The project’s objective is to meet goods and passenger traffic demand on the main Tangiers- Marrakesh railway line from 2016.

Beneficiaries

Because of the project’s developmental nature and repercussions, its beneficiaries are the inhabitants living in its direct impact area as well as the rest of the country’s population. Indeed, its implementation will improve the mobility of the population and goods in general in the project area and, in particular, facilitate the transport of freight generated by the Tanger Med port.

Participating Organization

Funding
African Development Bank
Implementing
Office National des Chemins de fer (ONCF)
Implementing
Office National des Chemins de Fer

Information

IATI identifier 46002-P-MA-DC0-003
Last Update 24 Mar 2023

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Contact Details

Name Ali Ismael MOHAMED
Email a.mohamed@afdb.org

Geographic Location

Country Morocco
Coordinates Location Name
33.3333 -5.25 Ifrane
31.6362 -8.01041 Marrakech
33.9776 -5.52496 Meknes
33 -7.16667 Région de Chaouia Ouardigha
34.5 -6 Région de Gharb Chrarda Beni Hssen
31.5 -8.33333 Région de Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz
32.5833 -5 Région de Meknes-Tafilalet
33.75 -6.33333 Région de Rabat Sale Zemmour Zaer
30.4202 -9.59815 Agadir
32.2423 -7.95534 Benguerir