DP World: Creating a More Efficient Fresh Food Supply Chain
DP World has unveiled a new service that links Morocco to the UK and Northern Europe, aimed at reducing export times for fresh food and improving produce quality.
This development is poised to significantly impact the procurement of fresh food, enabling companies to optimise their sourcing processes.
The service not only minimises food waste but also reduces carbon emissions, aligning with the growing need for environmental responsibility in supply chain management.
Additionally, DP World is enhancing its logistics capabilities by investing in new fleets to meet customer demands efficiently.
Enhancing supply chain visibility
Morocco exports more than 6.5 million tonnes of fruit and vegetables to Western Europe annually, with an upward trend of more than 20% year-on-year.
Procurement professionals are now seeing sea freight emerge as a strategic alternative to road transport.
DP World-owned Unifeeder’s vessels and refrigerated containers (reefers) offer a sustainable transport option, bypassing congestion commonly faced at Tangier (Morocco) and Algeciras (Spain), as well as Calais (France) and Dover (UK).
The investment in 1,250 new reefers ensures product freshness, while a fleet of 1,000 dry containers addresses demand between North Europe, the UK and Morocco.
Through its digital platform, CARGOES, DP World aims to provide comprehensive visibility and a streamlined end-to-end supply chain.
“We are launching a bespoke solution from Morocco to the UK and the continent,” says Rashid Abdulla, MD and CEO at DP World Europe.
“The key elements of this service – reliability, fast transit times and modern IT platform – will provide exporters and retailers with a viable alternative to the current transportation by truck and ensure improved quality produce at lower cost with significantly reduced carbon emissions.”
Ensuring efficient food supply chains
The introduction of the 'Atlas' service is set to revolutionise the supply path between Morocco and Europe.
Key logistical hubs in Agadir and Casablanca will link with DP World-owned ports and terminals at London Gateway and Antwerp Gateway. Two dedicated vessels will be operational by November 2025, facilitating the distribution of high-quality produce from Antwerp Gateway throughout Europe.
This development is projected to reduce export times for fresh produce by up to two days.
It means fresher food will reach retailers and ultimately consumers, aligning with procurement's ongoing quest for efficiency and quality in supply chains.
Furthermore, this efficient operational pathway promises to trim the carbon footprint while addressing an alarming statistic from The Consumer Goods Forum, which states that around 1.3 billion tonnes of edible food is wasted every year.
Markus Rodatz, Chief Operating Officer for Freight in Europe at DP World, adds: “We are committed to building smarter, more sustainable and more resilient supply chains. The new service assures growers and retailers their produce will arrive fresher, faster and in peak condition, reducing emissions by 70%.
"By investing in this route from Morocco to the UK and the continent, we are enabling trade flow and helping our customers achieve their sustainability goals.”
Lowering transport emissions
The shift to sea freight for up to 150,000 tonnes of fresh produce annually represents a considerable evolution in transport logistics, impacting procurement strategies.
Emissions are reduced by up to 250kg CO₂/tonne-km, a 70% decrease compared to traditional trucking methodologies. Prior complications of congestion, delays and border issues are mitigated through this strategic shipping route, enabling a smoother and safer journey.
What's more, delicate products like tomatoes and blueberries, usually vulnerable on rough road journeys, stand to benefit from the gentler sea transit.
Ultimately, the introduction of Atlas is poised to deliver higher quality produce to the UK and Europe due to DP World's dependable shipping solutions and robust infrastructure.
