The Port of Poole, in Dorset, is anticipating its first delivery via a new direct shipping route from Tangier in Morocco. A shipment of 100 freights of organic seasonal fruit and vegetables is shortly scheduled northbound. The route will now run once per week and largely comprise the transportation of dry and refrigerated freight.
The link cuts overall journey times on goods to and from the UK to fewer than three days, compared to more than six days via road, and will be used to encourage British importers to source fresh produce and other products directly from Africa, and export companies looking to enhance their southbound trade to Morocco and the surrounding region. Trade relations between the UK and Morocco have a long-standing history of over 800 years, and it is anticipated the link will further strengthen ties between the countries.
The route has been in planning for over two years and will help bypass post-Brexit traffic congestion and import procedures on goods arriving via Europe. It will also significantly reduce emissions compared to current logistic chains by road.
In addition, the fallout from the current pandemic has caused global supply chain bottlenecks, shortages, and disruption to the global shipping industry, with sharp increases to ocean-going freight rates.
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