In an unusual scene, a convoy of 11 Italian railway cars left Alessandria station heading to the port of Ravenna, wrapped in white plastic covers and green nets, to begin its journey across the sea to Morocco.
These Intercity cars belonging to Trenitalia, which have served Italian passengers for years, will gain a new life on Moroccan railways. This deal comes as part of Morocco’s intense preparations to host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
The kingdom seeks to enhance its logistical capabilities to welcome millions of fans, as fast and organized transport is one of the main priorities in preparing for the largest football event.
The National Office of Railways (ONCF) had previously purchased Italian TAF trains, and today it adds Intercity cars to increase capacity on main lines, especially during the interim period until the arrival of the new fleet.
In a massive deal, ONCF purchased 168 new trains worth $2.9 billion from Alstom, CAF, and Hyundai Rotem, including 18 high-speed trains, 40 Intercity trains, and 110 urban trains.
As for the used Italian cars, they will contribute to enhancing daily services and accommodating increasing demand before the World Cup.
For its part, Trenitalia continues to renew its fleet by introducing the modern ETR 108 trains, with 12 of them being allocated for Intercity lines between Umbria, Tuscany, and Lazio, and 22 for regional services.
Selling the old cars saves the Italian company the costs of scrapping and dismantling. According to an Italian report, this fruitful cooperation combines the renewal of the Italian fleet with Morocco’s great ambition to develop its infrastructure.
