DP World plans to launch a new service that will connect Morocco with the UK and Northern Europe, aimed at reducing delivery times for fruit and vegetable exports to Britain by up to two days. This initiative is designed to provide retailers and consumers with higher quality products at a lower cost while minimizing carbon emissions.
According to a recent press release, the new “Atlas Service” will link key hubs in Agadir and Casablanca, Morocco, with DP World’s ports and terminals, specifically London Gateway and Antwerp Gateway, utilizing two dedicated vessels starting in November 2025. Additionally, this service will facilitate the transport of premium products to Antwerp for distribution across Europe.
The official launch of this new service will take place at a special event in Agadir, Morocco, on September 18.
By shifting up to 150,000 tons of fresh products from land transport to maritime services annually, this route presents a significant and sustainable logistical solution, potentially reducing carbon emissions by up to 250 kg CO2 per ton-km, a 70% decrease compared to traditional truck transportation.
In contrast to land transport that exceeds 3,000 km, the new service circumvents traffic congestion and any potential disruptions on roadways or delays at border crossings, providing a smoother route for sensitive products like tomatoes and blueberries, which are more prone to damage during transit on poorly maintained roads.
The maritime route, leveraging Unifeeder’s capabilities in refrigerated containers, serves as a sustainable alternative to congestion often faced at water crossings between Tangier and Tarifa, as well as between Calais and Dover, for goods heading to the UK.
Rashid Abdullah, CEO and General Manager of DP World – Europe, stated, “We are launching a solution tailored specifically for transport between Morocco and the UK, emphasizing reliability, expedited transit times, and a modern IT platform. This will offer exporters and retailers a practical alternative to current trucking solutions, ensuring improved product quality at a lower cost, alongside significant reductions in carbon emissions.”
To guarantee product quality and freshness, DP World has invested in a completely new fleet comprising 1,250 state-of-the-art refrigerated containers. Additionally, a fleet of 1,000 high-cube dry containers, which are the most commonly used globally at 4 cubic feet high, along with 750 standard 20-foot dry containers, will meet the rising demand for general cargo flows between Northern Europe, the UK, and Morocco.
Morocco exports over 6.5 million metric tons of fruits and vegetables annually to Western Europe, with export volumes increasing by over 20% each year.
Trade agreements and supportive policies are accelerating this growth, making the maritime service a timely and efficient alternative to land transport.
Markus Rodatz, Chief Operating Officer for DP World’s European shipping division, commented, “We are committed to building smarter, more sustainable, and resilient supply chains. The new service ensures farmers and retailers confidence that their products will arrive fresh and quickly, while achieving a 70% reduction in emissions.”