The new dedicated sea route will transport up to 150,000 tonnes of fresh produce annually from Morocco to DP World terminals in the UK and Europe, including tomatoes, blueberries, peppers and citrus
DP World’s first Atlas service set sail from Agadir this week, a move that the group said is ”revolutionising” fresh produce logistics between Morocco, the UK and Europe.
The maiden service is bound for DP World-owned terminals London Gateway on Sunday 30 November in the UK and Antwerp Gateway on Monday 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 per cent,” the company stated.
DP World noted that, 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/tonne-km.
“The launch of our first Atlas service from Agadir marks a major step forward in sustainable logistics,” said Claus Larner, vice president, perishables, at DP World.
”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.”
Each weekly sailing will transport tomatoes, blueberries, peppers and citrus from Morocco’s key growing regions to UK and EU retail networks.
Th group pointed out that, unlike traditional trucking routes that span over 3,000km, the Atlas service ensures a smoother, safer journey for produce.
The use of DP World’s Unifeeder vessels and 1,250 brand new 40ft high cube refrigerated containers ”guarantees freshness and condition on arrival”, it commented.
To support the service, DP World has invested in 1,000 40ft high-cube and 750 20ft dry containers, ensuring capacity for both fresh and general cargo.
Full visibility is provided via a state-of-the-art digital platform, offering 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 1.1mn tonnes of fruit and vegetables annually to Western Europe, with volume growth expected at more than 10 per cent year-on-year.
The Atlas service is designed to meet this rising demand while supporting Morocco’s position as a leading fresh produce exporter.
“The launch of the Atlas Service marks an important development for Morocco’s fresh produce sector,” said Mohammad Shihab, executive vice president of DP World North Africa.
”It enhances the country’s position as a supplier of high-quality fruits and vegetables to Europe, supports local farmers, and promotes sustainable growth across the agricultural industry.
”This initiative reflects DP World’s commitment to supporting Morocco’s trade and its connections to global markets,” Shibab added.
