---
title: Inauguration in Morocco of the HSL between Tangiers and Kenitra
url: "https://www.systra.com/en/news/inauguration-in-morocco-of-the-hsl-between-tangiers-and-kenitra/"
type: post
date_published: 2018-11-15
date_modified: 2020-07-10
schema:
  @type: Article
language: en-US
word_count: 484
reading_time: 3 min
canonical: "https://www.systra.com/en/news/inauguration-in-morocco-of-the-hsl-between-tangiers-and-kenitra/"
featured_image: "https://www.systra.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/edf8291e55eb8d53688d8cb7f4bb3b.png"
---

# Inauguration in Morocco of the HSL between Tangiers and Kenitra

![Inauguration in Morocco of the HSL between Tangiers and Kenitra](https://www.systra.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/edf8291e55eb8d53688d8cb7f4bb3b.png)

Following the commissioning of three high speed lines in France in 2017, there
is now a fourth line signed SYSTRA in less than two years. This new 183km line
crosses all Morocco’s economic and political centres. More than a new transport
offer, this first HSL redraws the country’s transport map by creating a more
effective link between Tangiers, Kenitra, Rabat and Casablanca.

With a commercial speed of 320km/h, the journey time of 4h45 between Casablanca
and Tangiers is reduced to 2h10, and that between Tangiers and Rabat from 3h40
to 1h20. The ONCF, Morocco’s national railway operator and SYSTRA’s client,
forecasts an annual ridership of six million passengers within three years,
compared with three million on the old Tangiers – Casablanca line.

The inaugural train, named ‘Al Boraq’, of the new HSL welcomed aboard His
Majesty King Mohammed VI, the President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron,
accompanied by a delegation of companies having participated in the project.
SYSTRA was represented by CEO Pierre Verzat.

![2018-11-15_16-17-44](https://www.systra.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2018-11-15_16-17-44.png)

Pierre Verzat explained: “This inauguration has a special meaning for SYSTRA
because it demonstrates our capacity to operate outside France and accompany a
client from the preliminary phases to the trials and commissioning of an
infrastructure as complex as a high speed line. This is a signal to all emerging
countries wishing to equip themselves with this mode of transport. SYSTRA teams
played a key role throughout the project and I warmly congratulate all those who
have contributed to its success, as well as our partners CID and TEAM Maroc. I
also praise the professionalism and competence of the ONCF teams who were able
to take charge of a new type of project and lead it to success within a deadline
and budget never seen before anywhere in world for a high speed line. For us
they have been real partners, essential for the success of such a project.”

![essais_lgv_maroc_2017_2_](https://www.systra.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/essais_lgv_maroc_2017_2_-1024x576.jpg)

_SYSTRA project team_

## SYSTRA present at all project phases

Partners with the ONCF for high speed projects since 2005, when SYSTRA was
involved in a study for a blue print of high speed lines in the Kingdom, we
carried out preliminary studies on different sections before doing the
preliminary designs from 2008 -2010 for the Tangiers-Kenitra line. During the
subsequent phases, SYSTRA was responsible for several crucial assignments such
as the project management of the civil engineering for the southern section
between Larache and Kenitra (with EGIS, who carried out the same assignment for
the northern section), the project management assistance for operations relating
to the running of the railway and electromechanical equipment for the entire
line (183km). We were also in charge of the particular assignments covering all
the special infrastructure features.

![20181115_123537](https://www.systra.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/20181115_123537.jpg)

_The new station of Tangiers_