Morocco has acquired several second-hand Intercity train carriages from Italy as part of efforts to increase the capacity of its railway network ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the Kingdom will co-host alongside Spain and Portugal.
Italian media reported that a train composed of 11 Intercity carriages formerly operated by Trenitalia has departed from the Alessandria marshalling yard in northern Italy and is being transported via the port of Ravenna before shipment to Morocco.
According to the reports, the carriages were seen covered in protective white sheeting and secured with green netting ahead of their transfer, marking their departure from the Italian rail network after years of service.
The move comes as Morocco accelerates preparations for a series of major international sporting events culminating in the 2030 World Cup, with authorities investing heavily in transport infrastructure to accommodate growing passenger demand.
Italian media described the transfer as reflecting two parallel trends: Italy’s ongoing modernization of its rail fleet and Morocco’s efforts to expand the operational capacity of its railway system while larger investment projects are being rolled out.
The reports noted that Morocco’s National Railways Office (ONCF) has previously acquired used Italian rolling stock, including TAF trains that had operated for years in regional services managed by Trenitalia.
The acquisition is expected to provide additional passenger capacity at a time when Morocco is expanding and upgrading its rail infrastructure to support increasing domestic mobility and future international visitor flows.
Transport infrastructure is considered a key component of Morocco’s preparations for the 2030 World Cup, requiring the efficient movement of fans, teams, officials, and journalists between host cities.
Morocco already operates one of Africa’s most advanced railway systems, notably through the Al Boraq high-speed rail line linking Tangier and Casablanca. The country is also pursuing the extension of the high-speed network southward toward Marrakech, with longer-term plans reaching Agadir.
At the same time, ONCF is implementing an ambitious modernization program centered on the acquisition of new-generation trains and the expansion of rail services across the Kingdom.
Reuters previously reported that Morocco had ordered 168 new trains worth approximately $2.9 billion from Alstom, CAF, and Hyundai Rotem. The contracts include 18 high-speed trains, 40 intercity trains, and 110 urban rail units.
Within that broader modernization strategy, the former Trenitalia carriages do not represent the technological core of Morocco’s future rail system. Rather, they are expected to serve as a practical solution to increase capacity and reinforce services while the newly ordered trains are progressively delivered and deployed.
For Trenitalia, the transfer also provides an alternative to scrapping the aging carriages, allowing the Italian operator to avoid dismantling and disposal costs as it replaces older rolling stock with newer equipment.
The arrival of the Italian carriages illustrates Morocco’s multi-track approach to railway development, combining long-term investments in modern rail technology with short-term measures aimed at meeting growing transportation needs ahead of one of the world’s largest sporting events.
