Tunisia’s Ministry of Transport announced on Sunday the docking of a container ship at the port of Zarzis, marking the launch of the first regular international maritime freight line linking the commercial ports of Zarzis and Rades with the ports of Gioia Tauro in Italy and Tripoli.
The port received around 407 empty containers, which will be handed over to exporters and reloaded through the port before mid-May, according to a statement by the ministry.
The ministry said the launch of this commercial activity at Zarzis port aims to support economic development and boost trade in southeastern Tunisia, in response to demands from several export-oriented companies in the region.
The new route is also expected to reduce transport costs and transit times for goods, while making better use of the port’s existing capacities.
Meanwhile, the commercial port of Zarzis is preparing to begin dredging works by the end of the year to enable it to accommodate larger vessels.
Transport Minister Rachid Amri revealed last week that a new maritime route linking Italy with Tunisian ports; passing through Rades and Zarzis and extending to Libya; is set to be launched soon, in a move aimed at strengthening trade connectivity and facilitating the movement of goods across the Mediterranean.
Tunisia has also reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the transcontinental land crossing project with Libya, known as the “Africa Gateway,” which runs from Benguerdane through the Ras Ajdair crossing toward several sub-Saharan African countries.
