On Monday, September 9, the Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF) initiated discussions with South Korean manufacturer Hyundai Rotem as part of the international tender DC01/PM/2023. The contract, valued at an estimated 16 billion dirhams, aims to procure 168 trains across four categories: 18 high-speed trains, 40 intercity trains, 60 rapid shuttle trains (TNR), and 50 regional express network (RER) trains.
Hyundai Rotem, which submitted a bid for the entire contract, faces competition from four other renowned international manufacturers: French company Alstom, Spanish firms Talgo and CAF, and China’s CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive.
Hyundai Rotem has been making considerable efforts to support its bid, including high-level meetings between Korean and Moroccan officials. The company showcased its expertise in high-speed train manufacturing at the World Congress on High-Speed Rail, held in Marrakech in March 2023.
In addition to Hyundai Rotem, ONCF will enter into discussions with Alstom, Talgo, CAF, and CRRC. Following these talks, ONCF will update and finalize its specifications before asking the selected manufacturers to submit their best offers within a month.
Once all final proposals are submitted, ONCF will decide whether to award the entire contract or split it into sub-lots, depending on the best offers. The decision on the winning manufacturer(s) is expected by the end of October.
