Turkish industrialists are positioning to enter Morocco's railway supply chain by targeting the supply of 60E1 rails for the National Office of Railways (ONCF), as the state-owned operator launches a procurement cycle linked to a $9.6 billion (96 billion dirhams) expansion program. The program includes high-speed rail, metropolitan services, and conventional line upgrades, drawing international interest from suppliers in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
According to industry sources, the 60E1 rail profile is a standard for heavy-haul and high-speed lines, and ONCF's tender is expected to cover thousands of tons of rails for new and upgraded tracks. Turkish manufacturers, including those from the country's established rail and steel sectors, see this as a strategic entry point into North Africa's largest rail market.
The ONCF program, announced in 2025, aims to expand Morocco's rail network from 2,300 km to over 4,000 km by 2040, with a focus on connecting major cities and ports. The first phase includes a high-speed line from Casablanca to Marrakech and upgrades to the existing Tangier-Casablanca high-speed line.
Morocco's rail ambitions are part of its broader infrastructure push ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal. The ONCF has not yet confirmed the exact timeline for the 60E1 rail tender, but industry observers expect a formal call for bids in late 2026.
