CMA CGM, OPDR and Seago Line to re-start reefer services between Morocco and Northern Europe/Russia
At the beginning of the Moroccan fruit season, three shipping lines will be (re)starting services offering plenty of capacity for reefer containers between Morocco and Northern Europe/Russia: CMA CGM, OPDR and Seago Line (Maersk Line). Rotterdam is the only northerly port that will be used by all three services and will therefore become the centre of Moroccan citrus exports to Europe, Port of Rotterdam said in its media release.
Whilst the French and Danes are reviving their Dunkrus and Baltic Sea services respectively, the new local Moroccan branch of OPDR is launching the new Argan Express (AGAX) on the market. The rotation schedules are:
Dunkrus ‐ CMA CGM ‐ Tangiers, Casablanca, Agadir, Portsmouth, Dunkirk, Rotterdam, Rouen and back to Tangiers
- AGAX ‐ OPDR ‐ 3x 700 TEU ‐ Agadir, Cadiz, Tilbury, Rotterdam and back to Agadir
- Baltic Sea ‐ Seago Line ‐ Casablanca, Agadir, St. Petersburg, Rotterdam and back to Casablanca
Citrus exports, and clementines in particular, from Morocco to the EU are increasing, reportedly by a third. This year, the volume of exports could get close to the set limit. Demand for Moroccan citrus fruit is also increasing in Russia.