The port of Zarzis, in the southeast of Tunisia, welcomed this morning, Sunday, April 26, 2026, its first taner carrier, thus marking the launch of its first regular international maritime line connecting the commercial ports of Zarzis and Rades to those of Gioia Tauro (Italy) and Tripoli (Libya). According to a statement from the Ministry of Transport, the port received about 407 empty containers, which will be delivered to customers and reloaded in this port before mid-May 2026.
The approval of this commercial activity for the port of Zarzis is part of the contribution to the development of economic activity and the stimulation of trade in the south-eastern region of Tunisia, and responds to the requests of many companies located in the region and concerned by the export activity via the commercial port of Zarzis, and aims to stimulate investment in the region by reducing the cost of transport and the transit times of goods in general and by taking advantage of the capacities available in this port.
It should be noted that all the necessary equipment and facilities have been put in place to ensure the smooth running of container loading, unloading and handling operations by the various authorities, agencies and companies involved in the port.
In addition, the commercial port of Zarzis is currently preparing to begin dredging work by the end of the year. This project aims to allow the port to accommodate larger vessels, wit a draft of up to 11 meters, for commercial and cruise traffic, while ensuring the safety of maritime navigation.
For Tunisia, this new connection is also of Mediterranean geopolitical and logistical importance: Zarzis is located at a nerve center between southern Tunisia, western Libya and roads to Italy.
According to the Deputy Director General of the Société Tunisine d’acconage et de manutention (STAM), the commissioning of this link could strengthen the port’s access to international markets and consolidate its role among the country’s main ports.
In a Facebook post dated April 20, the Tunisian consultant based in Switzerland, Sami Jallouli, stressed the importance that Italians now attach to the port of Zarzis as a focal point for their trade with Africa. « Italians perceive the port of Zarzis as a strategic maritime platform, combining the customs advantages of free zones, the logistical speed due to geographical proximity and the commercial security necessary to access the promising Libyan market, » he wrote. And to add: « According to the available information, the project provides for a rail link with Tozeur International Airport, thus offering air access to several continents. In addition, several international port companies would be interested in the project, and strong competition could ensue between DP World and QTerminals (Qatar), both seeking to extend their investments abroad beyond the Middle East. »
Sami Jallouli then wondered, rightly, as if to indicate to the Tunisian authorities the direction to follow for the promotion of the port of Zarzis, whose strategic position is confirmed day by day: « Does the port of Zarzis benefit from significant investments to modernize its docks, improve its management technologies and build new generation intelligent warehouses? »
source : kapitalis
