The news had already been announced last October … But it is now confirmed: this Friday, March 28, Alstom formalized an order of eighteen TGV to Morocco. The kingdom of Mohammed VI will notably acquire high-speed trains from the Avelia Horizon group, the same platform as the SNCF TGV M-planned for 2026 south-east of France. The contract includes two -level trains, with a capacity of 640 passengers, which will drive up to 320 km/h.
This command will be used on the high -speed section connecting Tangier and Marrakech, extending the already existing route to Casablanca. “The extension of the high -speed line in Marrakech will improve connectivity for travelers. New Alstom Avlia Horizon Double Level Trains will significantly reduce the journey time between Tangier and Marrakech while minimizing the carbon footprint ”Alstom said in a press release relayed by BFMTV. Morocco wishes to obtain these 18 TGVs by 2030, the year to which the country will host the World Cup of Football-of which it is co-organizer.
A nice contract subject to a French loan
The French industrialist Alstom has been present on Moroccan territory for almost a century. Two factories (some 1,200 employees in total) are located there. In addition to trains and locomotives, the railway company also provides signaling systems in Morocco and nearly 240 trams for the cities of Rabat and Casablanca.
This contract is however based on a financial boost of the French State … and for good reason: the 781 million of the contract will be put forward by Paris in Rabat, through the French Treasury. As a reminder, En October 2024, French and Moroccan heads of state signed financial cooperation in the rail sector during the last visit of Emmanuel Macron in Morocco.
The strong diplomatic links, as well as the seniority of the presence of Alstom in Rabat, also made it possible to facilitate the contract. “This exceptional financing comes to devote the formidable Franco-Moroccan partnership in rail matters, already at the origin of the immense success of the high-speed line between Tangier and Kenitra which transported in 2024 nearly 5 million passengers”rejoices Christophe Lecurtier, French ambassador to Morocco, in a press release.
