Italian engineering firm SITE has announced the award of two major contracts worth over €140 million from Morocco’s national railway operator, Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF), for the development of a new high-speed rail line between Kénitra and Marrakech.
As system integrator, SITE will deliver and oversee the telecommunications, power, and cybersecurity systems for the 400-kilometre corridor. The project is divided into two key technology packages: GSM-R mobile telecommunications and signaling systems. The signaling portion has been awarded to a consortium led by Compagnie des Signaux, in partnership with SITE and Generale Costruzioni Ferroviarie (GCF).
GSM-R package
Under the GSM-R package, SITE will be responsible for designing and deploying: A GSM-R communications network tailored to rail operations; a high-capacity DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) transmission system; a robust cybersecurity framework across all infrastructure components; comprehensive design and commissioning of the power supply systems, including associated civil works.
All systems will be fully interoperable with the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) Level 2, supporting operational speeds of up to 320 km/h. SITE emphasized its commitment to infrastructure protection, with cybersecurity solutions covering all mission-critical systems.
The Kénitra–Marrakech high-speed link is part of Morocco’s broader national railway strategy, which targets the construction of 1,300 kilometers of high-speed rail and 3,800 kilometers of medium-speed lines. The initiative also aims to expand rail services to 43 cities and increase network coverage to reach 87% of the population.
Strategically, the line will connect key intermodal and airport hubs, including Casablanca and Marrakech, and support Morocco’s preparations for hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup by improving accessibility to major stadiums such as Moulay Abdellah and Hassan II.