Boosting fresh produce logistics to Europe
Maiden service sets sail
MOROCCO: DP World has launched the Atlas service to boost fresh produce logistics between Morocco, the United Kingdom and Europe.
Announced just a week after another short sea service kicked off from the country, the Atlas service is also a dedicated sea route linking the country to important European markets.
This maiden service is bound for DP World owned terminals, London Gateway on 30 November for the UK and, Antwerp Gateway on 1 December serving Europe.
This new dedicated sea route will transform the way fruit and vegetables are transported to the UK and Europe - delivering fresher produce, faster and at lower cost, while slashing carbon emissions by up to 70%.
By shifting up to 150,000 tonnes of fresh produce annually from road to sea, the service offers a scalable, sustainable logistics solution that reduces emissions by up to 250kg CO₂/ton-km.
“The launch of our first Atlas service from Agadir marks a major step forward in sustainable logistics. This tailor-made solution combines speed, reliability and digital transparency to deliver better quality produce to retailers and consumers - while helping our customers meet climate goals,” says Claus Larner, Vice President, Perishables, at DP World.
Each weekly sailing will transport tomatoes, blueberries, peppers and citrus from Morocco’s key growing regions to UK and EU retail networks.
The use of DP World’s Unifeeder vessels and 1,250 brand new 40’ high cube refrigerated containers (reefers) guarantees freshness and condition on arrival.
To support the service, DP World has invested in 1,000 x 40’ high-cube and 750 x 20’ dry containers, ensuring capacity for both fresh and general cargo. Full visibility is provided via a state-of-the-art digital platform, offering true end-to-end supply chain transparency. The southbound service sails from London Gateway to Antwerp Gateway on to Casablanca and back to Agadir.
Morocco currently exports over 1.1 million metric tonnes of fruit and vegetables annually to Western Europe, with volumes growth expected at more than 10% year-on-year. The Atlas service is designed to meet this rising demand while supporting Morocco’s position as a leading exporter of high-quality produce.
Built around fixed berthing windows and dedicated reefer capacity, the Atlas Service ensures day-certain arrivals in the UK and Antwerp. Exporters benefit from pre-booked inspection slots, reefer plug-ins and guaranteed terminal access, while importers enjoy streamlined customs and inland logistics from DP World’s terminals.
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