DP World has launched a new service connecting Morocco with the United Kingdom and Northern Europe, aiming to reduce delivery times for fruit and vegetable shipments to Britain by up to two days, providing retailers and consumers with better quality products at lower costs and significantly reduced carbon footprint.

The new “Atlas Service” links key hubs in Agadir and Casablanca in Morocco with DP World’s owned ports and terminals – London Gateway and Antwerp Gateway – using two dedicated vessels starting November 2025. The service also transports high-quality products to Antwerp for distribution across Europe.

By shifting up to 150,000 tons of fresh produce annually from road to sea transport, this route offers a major sustainable logistics solution, reducing emissions by up to 250 kg of CO2 per ton-km, representing a 70% reduction compared to traditional truck transport.

Unlike road transport over distances exceeding 3,000 km, the new service avoids congestion, road damage, and border delays, providing a smoother route for sensitive products like tomatoes and blueberries that are prone to spoilage during rough road transport.

The maritime route leverages the capabilities of Unifeeder, a DP World-owned company specializing in refrigerated vessels and containers, offering a sustainable alternative to the congestion at water crossings between Tangier and Algeciras, and between Calais and Dover for goods headed to the UK.

Rashid Abdullah, CEO and Managing Director of DP World Europe, said: “We are launching a solution specifically designed to serve transport operations from Morocco to the UK and Europe. Key elements include reliability, fast transit times, and a modern IT platform, providing exporters and retailers a practical alternative to current truck transport, ensuring improved product quality at lower cost with significantly reduced carbon emissions.”

He added that a fleet of 1,000 high-cube dry containers and 750 twenty-foot dry containers will meet the growing demand for general cargo flows between Northern Europe, the UK, and Morocco. The company will provide full visibility through its unique digital platform “Cargos” for an integrated supply chain.

Morocco exports more than 6.5 million metric tons of fruits and vegetables annually to Western Europe, with export volumes growing over 20% per year. Trade agreements and supportive policies accelerate this momentum, making the maritime service an immediate and effective alternative to road transport.

The group has invested in a brand-new fleet of 1,250 refrigerated containers to ensure product quality and freshness.

Markus Rodatz, CEO of Shipping Operations Europe at DP World, said: “We are committed to building smarter, more sustainable, and resilient supply chains. The new service gives farmers and retailers confidence that their products will arrive fresh and quickly, while reducing emissions by 70%. By investing in commercial connectivity between Morocco, the UK, and Europe, we enhance trade flow and help our customers achieve their sustainability goals.”