Compagnie Tunisienne de Navigation

The Compagnie tunisienne de navigation (CTN) is a Tunisian shipping line, providing regular passenger ferry connections between Tunisia and the ports of Marseille and Genoa, as well as freight transport to Barcelona and Livorno.

Founded on March 7, 1959, it initially concentrated on the development of regular shipping links between Tunisia and its principal trading partners, essentially serving only Marseille and Rouen. However, with the drive to diversify Tunisian overseas trade, it rapidly expanded its route network to encompass ports in Italy, Spain, Germany and the Benelux countries. During the 1970s, CTN expanded its presence in the transport of crude oil, petroleum products and foodstuffs. With the commissioning in 1978 of the ferry Habib, providing service between Tunis, Marseille and Genoa, it also increased its involvement in passenger transport. The fleet expanded with the purchase of the bulk carriers Moularès and S’hib in 1976-1977 and El-Kef in 1982. Moving to Roll-on/roll-off service, the line turned its attention to the renewal of its fleet, taking delivery of the El-Jem and the Tozeur in 1977, and of the Bizerte and the Kairouan in 1979.

Forced to re-evaluate its activities in the light of recent changes in the maritime world, CTN has gradually sold its older ships in order to refocus attention on its core businesses. It is gradually renewing its fleet with the commissioning of two large ro-ro ships of 18,000 tons: Ulysse and Salammbô 7. In June 1999, the line’s new Norwegian-built ferry Carthage came into service. Capable of accommodating 2,208 passengers and 666 cars, and with a speed of 23.5 knots, it makes weekly crossings between Tunis and Marseille and Tunis and Genoa.

Fleet

CTN operate a fleet of eight vessels consisting of three RORO passenger ferries, four ROPAX ferries and one bulk carrier.

Current fleet

Under construction

References

• Homepage of CTN
• This article is a translation from the equivalent article on the French Wikipedia