New short sea service to connect Europe and Africa

Beginning on 19 September, the service will link UK, France and northern Europe with Casablanca in Morocco, replacing the existing NWC Iberia and MOPT services.

“London Thamesport is well established as one of the leading short sea container ports in the southeast of England, with a proven track record for excellent service delivery,” said Mark Taylor, director Hutchison Ports London Thamesport.

The service will run twice weekly, providing a greener alternative to truck transport from west France to the UK and helping Hutchison achieve its net-zero by 2035 ambitions.

The weekly ‘Euro Maroc Service’ will be operated by three 800 teu vessels on a 21-day fixed day rotation. The ports of call will include London Thamesport, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Montoir, Bilbao, Vigo, Leixões, Setubal, Casablanca and Figueira da Foz.

“Consolidating our services in Thamesport has allowed WEC to add a second weekly call from Bilbao and offer fast direct services from Montoir in France and Casablanca directly to Thamesport,” said Roger Megann, managing director of WEC Lines UK.