Hyundai Rotem awarded largest US$487 million Rolling Stock Maintenance Contract from Morocco

Rabat, Morocco (Metro Rail Today: South Korean rail major Hyundai Rotem has secured what it describes as its largest international rolling stock maintenance contract, following the signing of strategic agreements with Morocco’s National Railways Office (ONCF) to support the next phase of the country’s rail modernisation programme.

Under the agreement, Hyundai Rotem will provide rolling stock maintenance services for a period of 20 years, while KORAIL, South Korea’s national railway operator, will support the programme through quality control, production monitoring and knowledge transfer activities.

The maintenance contract awarded to Hyundai Rotem is valued at approximately 748.2 billion won (around US$487 million) and forms part of Morocco’s ambitious plan to procure 110 double-decker trains aimed at expanding and modernising the national rail network.

The new fleet will be designed to operate at speeds of up to 160 kmph, supporting enhanced passenger capacity and improved regional connectivity, particularly across the rapidly growing Casablanca metropolitan region.

The agreements align with Morocco’s long-term Vision 2040 mobility strategy, which envisages investments of nearly 96 billion dirhams (approximately US$10.3 billion) in transportation infrastructure over the coming years. Of this, nearly 20 billion dirhams has been earmarked specifically for mobility upgrades in Casablanca.

Among the flagship initiatives under the programme is the development of the future Casablanca South Station, which is planned as a next-generation multimodal transport hub capable of handling up to 12 million passengers annually.

The station is envisioned to integrate high-speed rail services, regional rail operations, light rail connectivity and an airport express link to Mohammed V International Airport, creating one of the most advanced intermodal transport centres in North Africa.

In addition, Morocco plans to develop two other major railway hubs — one in Benslimane near the Grand Stade Hassan II and another at Casablanca Airport — to support future network expansion and improve passenger accessibility.

By 2040, Morocco aims to significantly expand the reach of its rail system by increasing coverage from 23 cities to 43 cities, while raising population access to railway services from 51% to 87%.

The national rail vision also targets stronger multimodal integration by connecting 12 international airports and 12 ports to the railway network, compared with the current connectivity of one airport and six ports.

Commenting on the development, Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO, Urban Infra Group, said:

“Long-term maintenance partnerships are becoming increasingly important in ensuring operational reliability and lifecycle efficiency of modern rail systems. Morocco’s integrated rail expansion strategy demonstrates how infrastructure investment, multimodal connectivity and global collaboration can collectively strengthen sustainable mobility and economic growth.”

The Hyundai Rotem–KORAIL partnership highlights the growing importance of lifecycle support, international technology collaboration and integrated rail development as countries increasingly invest in sustainable and high-capacity transport infrastructure.