DP World Atlas shipping service links Morocco to UK, Belgium for fresh produce exports
DP World also invested in 1,000 forty-foot reefer containers and 750 twenty-foot dry containers to support the route.
MOROCCO – DP World’s Atlas shipping service, connecting Agadir and Casablanca to London Gateway and Antwerp, has completed its first six months of operations following its launch in November 2025.
For freight forwarders and logistics managers moving time-sensitive perishable cargo, we developed a service to transport Moroccan fresh produce directly to Northern Europe, reducing dependence on long-distance trucking routes through Spain and France.
Morocco exports more than 1.1 million tonnes of fruit and vegetables to Western Europe annually, with export volumes increasing by more than 10% per year.
Vessel Fleet and Equipment Investment
The Atlas route operates with two dedicated vessels, the M/V BF Carp and M/V BF Perch, on weekly rotations between Agadir, Casablanca, London Gateway, and Antwerp Gateway.
DP World also invested in 1,000 forty-foot reefer containers and 750 twenty-foot dry containers to support the route.
Environmental and Logistical Advantages
According to the company, the sea route can reduce carbon emissions by up to 70% per ton-kilometre compared with road transport.
The service was designed to address challenges associated with road freight, including congestion at Algeciras and Tangier Med, driver shortages, weather disruptions in the Strait of Gibraltar, and cold-chain risks during long-distance trucking.
Operational Reliability and Weather Challenges
In a March 2026 interview with Fruitnet, Claus Larner said: “The first six weeks, we saw 100% schedule reliability. And then, as you know, the last few weeks have been interesting, shall we say.”
Weather disruptions during January and February affected shipping movements across the Strait of Gibraltar and Mediterranean ports, including the Atlas service.
According to Larner, the operational structure gives DP World direct control over vessels and terminal operations at London Gateway and Antwerp, enabling recovery measures during disruptions.
Industry Perspective
The route primarily serves exporters in Agadir and Casablanca. The article also noted ongoing reefer truck shortages across Africa. A Q2 2026 DHL reefer market update reported that equipment imbalances and extended transit times continue to affect reefer capacity during peak periods.
For Moroccan fresh-produce exporters supplying UK supermarkets and Dutch distribution centres, the Atlas service bypasses reliance on long-haul trucking through Spain and France.
As Moroccan fruit and vegetable exports continue to grow by more than 10% annually, this sea route provides reliable, scalable capacity for fresh produce moving to European retailers during the peak November-to-May season.
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