DUNKERQUE: October 29, 2018. Hapag-Lloyd is to launch a ‘Dakar Express’ (DEX) southbound weekly box service linking Antwerp and Dunkerque with Dakar via Lisbon and Tangier, returning via Nouakchott, Mauritania and Leixoes, Portugal.

Port of Dunkerque CEO Stéphane Raison commented: "The arrival of Hapag-Lloyd in Dunkerque with this new service reinforces both the deployment strategy for the temperature-controlled products sector by reinforcing the Port of Dunkerque's position as the number one French port for imports of fruit and vegetables in containers, but also opens new prospects for importers and exporters in the Hauts-de-France region in the field of mass retailing, the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, automotive sector and agricultural and agri-food activities."

Using four 1,700 TEU vessels, the first sailing departs Antwerp/Dunkerque on November 25/26 and replaces a port call at Dakar on Hapag’s West Africa Express service “which will significantly reduce operational stress on this service and improve the schedule reliability,” according to the company.

"Hapag-Lloyd meets the expectations of the port communities of Dunkerque, Lille and also exporters and importers of the Hauts-de-France,” declared Hapag-Lloyd managing director France Peter Mertens. “We believe in this port, in its maritime, commercial and human potential. Our new weekly service will be competitive with a wide coverage, direct to Africa but also transshipment via our Tangier Mediterranean hub. We are counting on the full support of freight forwarders and industry in the region."