New direct shipping line between Agadir and Liverpool

The cities of Agadir and Liverpool will be linked by sea for the first time thanks to a new route launched by the Dutch operator WEC Lines. This new line aims to become a fast and environmentally friendly alternative for importers of fresh produce, eliminating the need for road transport.

As WEC Lines announced in a statement, "the service will use WEC's existing fleet of vessels". Some of these vessels are already used to ship British refrigerated goods "to tourists and nationals residing in the Canary Islands", according to the company. "Now, they will extend their route via Agadir before returning to the UK, with the possibility of loading refrigerated containers in Spain and Portugal," the statement added. 

For this new line and to reinforce its service, WEC plans to acquire around 50 additional reefer units. In addition, further expansion of the fleet is planned for the future.

"There is an opportunity here for wholesalers and supermarkets who want to choose how they bring fresh produce to the UK because now they only have one option," said Roger Megann, managing director of WEC Lines UK. Megann acknowledged that they are receiving "strong indications" that there is a demand for an alternative that reduces carbon emissions and costs and requires virtually the same amount of time.

According to officials at the port of Liverpool, the new service is believed to be intended to take advantage of Morocco overtaking Spain as one of the UK's biggest suppliers of tomatoes, reports La Opinion. 

Ian Cressey, port director of Peel Ports in Liverpool, explained that "many large wholesalers and retailers have their distribution centres in the North West, so it makes sense to ship produce directly here, rather than congesting the UK and mainland European roads". "Every container of fresh produce on board a ship is an extra lorry avoiding unnecessary journeys, especially considering that many return journeys will be empty," he added.

This new maritime route will also reinforce the close relations between Morocco and the United Kingdom, strategic allies in different matters.