Alstom, a leader in power generation and rail infrastructure, said it has supplied 12 trains for a high-speed rail line in Morocco, the first such network in Africa, linking the cities of Tangier and Casablanca.

The $2.3-billion Tangier-Casablanca high speed line was today (November 15) inaugurated by King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron in the presence of several senior official.

The trains will run at 320 km/h between Tangier and Kenitra, the first 180-km long section of the network. Between Kenitra and Casablanca (200 km), the trains will join the conventional network where they will run at 160 km/h.

The service will connect these main economic regions of the country, in 2 hours and 10 minutes instead of 4 hours and 45 minutes.

Alstom has supplied 12 very high-speed trains for the Tangier-Casablanca railway section to the Office National des Chemins de Fer Marocain (ONCF). It also supplied the level 1 and 2 on-board ERTMS1 for the trains, said a top official.

"We are extremely proud to bring high speed rail for the first time to the African continent. This inauguration is a significant milestone for this prestigious project which will allow Moroccan people to benefit from an incredible passenger experience thanks to our reliable, safe and comfortable Avelia very high-speed trains," remarked Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Alstom Chairman and CEO.

"Alstom is committed to remaining a close and long-term partner for Morocco, addressing its mobility needs and supporting its upcoming transport projects," it added.

Avelia Euroduplex trainsets for Morocco are articulated double-deck trains adapted to specific climate and environment conditions.

With a capacity of 533 passengers, each trainset is composed of eight cars including two first-class cars, a dining car and five second class cars. Trains integrate the latest developments in terms of comfort and accessibility.

One part of the train is fully dedicated for people with reduced mobility. Trains are also equipped with digital passenger information systems, bilingual in Arabic and French. They benefit from the proven Avelia range of high speed trains, which boasts more than 1,100 trains in commercial service.

Avelia Euroduplex very high speed trains for this project were manufactured in Alstom sites in France: La Rochelle, Belfort, Ornans, Tarbes, Le Creusot, Petit Quevilly, Villeurbanne, Saint-Ouen, Reichshoffen.-TradeArabia News Service