New Maritime Route Linking Morocco to the UK and Northern Europe Boosts Fruit and Vegetable Exports and Cuts Shipping Times
ALDAR/ Meryem Hafiani
Dubai-based DP World, one of the world’s largest logistics and port management groups, has announced the launch of a direct maritime route linking Morocco with the United Kingdom and Northern Europe. This strategic move is expected to open new horizons for Moroccan exports, particularly in the fruit and vegetable sector.
The new route will shorten shipping times for Moroccan goods to British and European markets by up to two full days. This means fresher products of higher quality reaching consumers and retailers at lower costs. The service will also help significantly reduce the carbon footprint by cutting transport times and energy consumption, in line with global environmental standards.
Agriculture is one of the pillars of Morocco’s economy, contributing around 14% of the GDP, with agricultural exports serving as a major source of foreign currency. With European demand for fresh products such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, and berries on the rise, the new maritime service will strengthen Morocco’s competitiveness and provide a strong boost for its producers and exporters.
The UK has emerged as a promising market for Moroccan agriculture, especially after Brexit. Trade between Rabat and London has seen a notable increase in recent years. According to British economic reports, Morocco has become the second-largest supplier of tomatoes to the UK market, in addition to leading in berry exports.
Experts also predict that the new route will pave the way for broader economic partnerships between Morocco and Northern Europe, particularly in agri-processing and logistics, further consolidating the Kingdom’s role as a trade gateway between Africa and Europe.
According to observers, DP World’s initiative is not merely a logistics investment but also a vote of confidence in Morocco’s advanced infrastructure and its position as a regional hub for goods distribution—backed by major ports such as Tanger Med, which has already established itself as the leading container port in the Mediterranean.
