DP World has launched its first ever Atlas service, a new weekly maritime route connecting Morocco with the UK and Europe, marking a major shift toward faster and more sustainable food supply chains. The maiden vessel arrived at London Gateway on 1 December before continuing to DP World’s Antwerp Gateway terminal.
The service is designed to move up to 150,000 tonnes of fresh produce annually from road to sea, offering retailers and consumers improved freshness at lower cost while cutting carbon emissions by as much as 70%. This represents a reduction of up to 250kg CO₂ per ton-kilometre compared to long-haul trucking.
“The launch of our first Atlas service from Agadir marks a major step forward in sustainable logistics,” said Rashid Abdulla, Managing Director and CEO of DP World Europe. “This tailor-made solution combines speed, reliability and digital transparency to deliver better quality produce – while helping customers meet climate goals.”
Carrying tomatoes, peppers, blueberries and citrus from Morocco’s main agricultural regions, the Atlas service replaces traditional road routes spanning over 3,000 kilometres. DP World’s Unifeeder fleet and a newly purchased inventory of 1,250 high-cube refrigerated containers ensure optimal product condition on arrival.
The company has also invested in additional dry containers to support wider cargo flows, alongside a digital platform providing full supply chain visibility and day-certain arrivals. The route sails from London Gateway to Antwerp Gateway, onward to Casablanca, and back to Agadir.
Morocco exports more than 1.1 million tonnes of fresh produce annually to Western Europe, with demand continuing to rise above 10% year-on-year. The new service is positioned to support this growth while strengthening trade ties.
