Tunisian Commercial Ports Confirm a Generalized Recovery Trend in 2025, Driven by Growth in Cruise, Container, Passenger, and Vehicle Traffic
According to data published by the Office of Merchant Marine and Ports (OMMP), several indicators show a positive evolution, reflecting a progressive strengthening of the attractiveness of national port infrastructure and a global improvement in logistics performance.
Cruise Tourism Sector Drives Recovery
The cruise tourism sector is one of the main drivers of this recovery. In 2025, the number of tourists arriving by sea reached approximately 272,000 visitors, up from 223,000 in 2024, representing a 22% increase. This trend confirms the progressive recovery of the Tunisian destination on the international cruise market, after several years of slowdown. The activity, relaunched since 2022 with 37 cruises and approximately 55,000 passengers, has progressively consolidated thanks to the return of several international maritime companies.
La Goulette Port to Welcome Additional Tourists
In this dynamic, the La Goulette port is expected to welcome around 160,000 additional tourists by the end of 2026 through 34 cruise stops, according to OMMP projections. This evolution is part of the return of confidence of maritime operators in the Tunisian destination and the valorization of the country's tourist, cultural, and artisanal potential. The La Goulette tourist village is also highlighted as a structuring project at the Mediterranean scale.
Generalized Growth in Maritime Traffic
Beyond tourism, other segments of maritime traffic also show a positive evolution. The number of passengers increased by 4%, passing from 794,535 in 2024 to approximately 827,000 in 2025, while vehicle traffic progressed by 5%, reaching 337,569 units. These figures reflect an intensification of exchanges between Tunisia and its diaspora, particularly through seasonal maritime traffic.
Vehicle Sector Sees Notable Growth
The new vehicle sector also records a notable increase of 9%, with 48,694 units imported in 2025, compared to 44,702 a year earlier. This evolution reflects a recovery of commercial activity and an improvement in import flows.
Container Traffic and General Merchandise See Growth
On the freight side, container traffic increased by 9%, reaching 538,692 twenty-foot equivalent units, while their global tonnage increased by 5%. General merchandise also saw a 7% increase, confirming the diversification of commercial exchanges. Hydrocarbons and trailers recorded respective increases of 5% and 4-7% depending on the segments.
Solid Food Waste Traffic Declines
In contrast, solid food waste traffic declined by 11%, due to conjunctural factors related to demand and imports. However, overall port commercial activity, excluding the port of Skhira, remains stable with a slight increase, passing from 22.9 million tons in 2024 to 23 million tons in 2025.
Modernization Program by 2040
This positive trend is part of a structured investment program led by the Office of Merchant Marine and Ports. This program includes the acquisition of six modern tugs, the reinforcement of port infrastructure, the improvement of security and safety, and the digitalization of services. The goal is to durably modernize the Tunisian port sector and improve its regional competitiveness through a short-term, medium-term, and long-term development strategy inscribed in the port director's plan by 2040.
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