Progress on the Kenitra–Marrakech High-Speed Railway
The China Railway 20th Bureau Group (CR20), a subsidiary of the China Railway Construction Corporation and a specialist in railway infrastructure and civil engineering, is actively engaged in the development of the fifth lot of the high-speed rail line connecting Kenitra to Marrakech, which spans a distance of 35.4 kilometers. On August 30, two procurement announcements were made through the Chinese group’s purchasing platforms, revealing the acquisition of a rebar bender for 145,500 yuan (approximately 203,000 dirhams) and a stone screener for 232,760 yuan (around 325,000 dirhams). These procurements are part of a broader series of purchases initiated by CR20 to facilitate the construction within the section defined by PK 401+366 and 436+800.
CR20 is overseeing a range of construction activities including earthworks, platform construction, crossing structures, drainage systems, fencing, and the restoration of various networks, all of which are to be completed within a contractually defined timeline of 33 months. This segment of the project involves approximately 6.83 million cubic meters of excavated material and 4.55 million cubic meters of backfill. It also features six railway bridges totaling 1.384 kilometers, ten road bridges, six frame structures, and eighteen culverts, marking one of the significant civil engineering projects assigned to a Chinese company as part of the high-speed rail expansion towards Marrakech.
Establishing a Supply Chain from China
Since the beginning of 2026, CR20 has significantly increased its procurement activities aimed at its Moroccan construction site. The published documents from China indicate a focus on mechanical parts, earthmoving equipment, metal formwork, engine-gearbox assemblies, and their maritime transportation to Morocco. Additionally, the group has initiated specific consultations for the transport of machinery and steel molds designed for lot 5, indicating the gradual establishment of a dedicated logistics chain between its Chinese suppliers and the Moroccan construction site.
The procurement processes for the rebar bender and screener were opened in April and March of 2026, respectively. The announcement of the top-ranked candidates at the end of August signifies the completion of this procurement phase ahead of the equipment delivery and its assignment to the construction site. CR20, which is involved in railways, bridges, tunnels, and large-scale earthmoving projects, has integrated the fifth lot of the Kenitra–Marrakech high-speed line into its international construction framework, with a portion of the equipment and components being sourced directly from China. While the two contracts announced on August 30 are financially modest, they highlight the material ramp-up for a 35.4-kilometer stretch that is set to accommodate several key engineering works associated with the railway extension to Marrakech.
As reported by barlamane.com.
