Davies Turner upgrading Morocco services

Davies Turner upgrading Morocco services Davies Turner, a U.K.-based independent freight forwarder, is increasing the number and frequency of its scheduled trailer services to and from the United Kingdom, Ireland and Morocco.
   The company said it is making the move to capture the revival of the garment trade with Morocco, which has suffered in recent times from the end of the multi-fiber agreement and increased competition from the Far East.
   Davies Turner offers groupage and full-load services for general freight, as well as garments, from all its main hubs in Britain and Ireland. At present, it operates a minimum of 25 trailers a week in both directions with Morocco, with import and export groupage departures on Thursdays and Fridays, to and from the company’s main British and Irish hubs. Full-load departures are daily, at client’s request. North and southbound transit times for the overland services are five to seven days inclusive of customs clearance.
   “Despite the problems other operators have experienced in this trade, Davies Turner has a firm belief in business development prospects between the U.K., Ireland and North Africa,” said Philip Stephenson, joint managing director of Davies Turner.
   “Historically, the trade has been heavily dependent on CMT shipments of fabric, trim and accessories southbound, and finished garments northbound. So it is very pleasing to see examples of sourcing and production, which moved away from Morocco, principally to China, now returning to the country.
   “Our aim is to bring stability and reliability back to the marketplace. This is why we are taking this opportunity to increase our presence in the Moroccan economy through the establishment of our local partner (DTCO Maroc), complete with groupage facility and our own expat delegate based in Tangier. At the same time we are investing in more trailers dedicated to this trade, and boosting our service frequency in both directions,' Stephenson said.