A Game-Changer for Perishable Logistics: A Dedicated Reefer Route with Unmatched Speed, Reliability, and Sustainability
Samskip is proud to announce the launch of its long-anticipated Moroccan Reefer Service, a new shortsea container route connecting Agadir and Casablanca directly with the UK and the Netherlands. Specially designed to meet the needs of the fresh produce sector, this service provides the fastest door-to-door transit time in the market offering a true alternative to traditional road transport for Moroccan fruits and vegetables. To support this impactful milestone, Samskip has also signed a long-term agreement with the Moroccan Fruit Board covering the export of key fresh produce.
With weekly non-stop sailings and a reliable, integrated door-to-door solution, the service provides seamless customs clearance and inland transport for perishable goods bound for key European markets. This is the only container service on the market fast enough to carry vegetables, setting a new benchmark for fresh produce logistics between North Africa and Europe.
“This new connection marks a major milestone, not just for Samskip, but for the entire supply chain between Morocco and Northern Europe,” said Ólafur Orri Ólafsson, Chief Business Officer at Samskip. “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 the strength of Europe’s largest multimodal network.”
Samskip’s transshipment and cross-docking capabilities mean that customers can deliver throughout Europe, to Norway, Poland, Sweden, Finland, and the Baltic states in just a matter of days after arrival in Rotterdam. Deliveries to Ireland can be achieved within just six days of departure from Agadir, which Samskip proudly promotes as a compelling new option for Irish importers looking for fresher, faster, and more sustainable logistics from North Africa.
The new reefer route brings a host of benefits to the market:
Dedicated shortsea service designed for Moroccan perishable
A weekly direct sailing to the south UK and the Netherlands (Rotterdam)
Significantly faster transit than other container alternatives
Compatible with 45ft reefer containers, matching the capacity of standard trailers
Up to 80% CO₂ reduction compared to full road transport
Calling at Casablanca and Agadir ports, the new service continues to Rotterdam ensuring smooth and efficient cargo flows into the heart of European retail markets.
This launch reflects Samskip’s broader growth strategy and continued leadership in modal shift logistics, moving cargo off congested roadways and onto more sustainable rail and sea solutions. As demand grows for eco-friendly, cost-efficient, and dependable logistics services, Samskip continues to expand its reach and offerings empowering customers and partners with better transport choices.
About Samskip
With headquarters in Rotterdam, Samskip offers pan-European, more sustainable multimodal transport services via shortsea, road, rail and inland waterway routes. High frequency services connect destinations across Europe, Iceland and Faroes Island, both door-to-door and quay-to-quay, using a wide range of vessels, containers, trucks and trailers. Festing HF, an affiliate company of Samskip, primarily owning ports and warehouses, acquired 50% of the shares of current shareholders of Matrans Rotterdam Terminal. Festing HF and Matrans are currently in the process of obtaining clearance from the Dutch Competition Authority (ACM) for this joint venture and will await ACM’s decision.”
