European logistics giant Samskip has unveiled a groundbreaking maritime service that promises to transform fresh produce transport between Morocco and Northern Europe. The new Moroccan Reefer Service (MRS) establishes the first direct, high-speed container route from Agadir and Casablanca to Thamesport in the UK and Rotterdam in the Netherlands, offering unprecedented efficiency for time-sensitive cargo.
The weekly service delivers remarkable transit times, with shipments from Agadir reaching Ireland in just six days—a significant improvement over traditional Mediterranean ferry and road combinations. This speed advantage positions the MRS as the only container service fast enough to transport vegetables while maintaining optimal freshness, setting new benchmarks for cold chain logistics between North Africa and Europe.
Utilizing 45-foot refrigerated containers that match standard trailer capacity, the service achieves up to 80% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to full road transport. The integration of seamless customs clearance and inland delivery creates a comprehensive door-to-door solution that streamlines the entire logistics chain for Moroccan exporters.
Samskip has secured a long-term partnership with the Moroccan Fruit Board to support this initiative, reflecting strong industry confidence in the service’s potential. Through Rotterdam’s sophisticated transshipment and cross-docking capabilities, goods can reach Norway, Poland, Sweden, Finland, and the Baltic states within days of arrival, dramatically expanding market access for Moroccan producers.
Ólafur Orri Ólafsson, Chief Business Officer at Samskip, emphasized the collaborative approach behind the service: “We’ve listened to growers, importers, and retailers, and will deliver a service that’s faster, greener, and more reliable. It’s a powerful example of what we can achieve when we combine local expertise with Europe’s largest multimodal network.”
The launch represents a strategic milestone in Morocco’s evolution as a fresh produce export hub, eliminating complex multi-modal arrangements while providing faster, more sustainable access to Northern European markets at a time when demand for efficient cold chain logistics continues to surge.