A pilot project was recently launched for the transport and distribution of fruit and vegetables from Almería to markets in the UK, Germany and Benelux, via the French port of Dunkirk.

The project brings together the Almería port authority, the Bahia Almeriport Foundation and Andalusia Fresh Line, and is designed to cut transport and logistics costs and reduce congestion on European motorways

The trans-shipment of cargo at Dunkirk is handled by refrigerated logistics specialist DailyFresh, which operates four distribution hubs in northern Europe.

The first run took place last month, with refrigerated containers arriving in Dunkirk from Almería aboard the M/V Vohburg. The containers were then transferred to DailyFresh for overnight distribution to supermarkets by reefer truck.

If the pilot project proves successful, a scheduled service could begin at the end of the year with three vessels, charted from Dutch short-sea operator Van Uden, making twice-weekly calls at Dunkirk.

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