Europa Worldwide has launched its first regular service to and from Morocco, the first route in an expansion of its services over the next 15 months.

As part of the twice-a-week service Europa will work with Moroccan haulier GR Valade.

Joint MD Gren Turner said the new route provided Europa with the opportunity to offer existing and new retail and industrial customers a “high level, cost effective solution within the control of our network operations”.

“The UK’s historic trade with Morocco has traditionally been textiles, with fabric being sent south and completed garments being returned to the UK. However Morocco is a rapidly developing country with lots of new industries and there are now many more opportunities,” he added.

In August Europa was acquired by the former joint owner of RH Freight, Andrew Baxter – who said at the time he was looking to expand the operators’ capabilities outside of the Continent.