Tunis, Tunisia

Port Overview

Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, is located on the country’s northern coast along the Mediterranean Sea. As Tunisia’s largest and most important port, it serves as the principal gateway for international trade and containerized cargo. Strategically positioned near key Mediterranean shipping lanes, Tunis plays a vital role in regional commerce and connectivity between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The port handles a significant share of Tunisia’s maritime traffic, with annual container throughput estimated at around 500,000 TEU, making it a leading hub in North Africa.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Tunis’s main port facilities center on Radès Port, which features container and roll-on/roll-off terminals handling most of Tunisia’s containerized cargo. Key cargo facilities include storage areas with a capacity of up to 20,000 TEUs and specialized terminals for bulk and general cargo. Equipment includes seven mobile cranes and six rubber-tyred gantry cranes; however, the port does not use large fixed cranes or AGVs. Ongoing upgrades aim to improve efficiency and expand capacity.

Container Terminals

Tunis, Tunisia’s main container gateway, is served primarily by the Port of Radès, located about 12 km south of the capital. Radès features a specialized container terminal with multiple berths, a basin dredged to -10.5 meters, and a customs zone spanning 48 hectares. Annual capacity exceeds 8 million tons of cargo, with significant container and rolling unit traffic. The terminal is equipped with modern handling equipment but operates at a conventional automation level. Major operators include the Tunisian port authority, with ongoing investments in terminal expansion and logistics zones.

Port Services

• Container handling: Modern facilities for loading and unloading containers, with annual throughput of approximately 300,000 TEUs.
• Cargo operations: Handles a wide range of cargo including bulk goods, vehicles, and general cargo with efficient turnaround times.
• Ship services: Offers bunkering, provisions, tug assistance, ship repairs, and waste disposal.
• Warehousing: On-site storage and warehousing for various cargo types.
• Customs: Full customs clearance and inspection services for import and export cargo.

Global Connectivity

Tunis, Tunisia is a major Mediterranean gateway, primarily served by the Port of Tunis and nearby La Goulette and Radès. It connects directly to key European ports such as Marseille, Genoa, Palermo, Salerno, and Civitavecchia via regular ferry and container shipping routes. The port serves the capital region and acts as a hub for trade with Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, supporting both containerized and bulk cargo flows to major global markets.

Port Statistics

Port of Tunis, Tunisia – Key Statistics (2024):

• TEU throughput: Approximately 300,000 TEU annually
• World ranking: Not in the global top 100 container ports
• Number of berths: 12
• Port area: About 120 hectares
• Shipping lines: Served by major regional and global carriers, with regular connections to Asia, Europe, and North America

Tunis is Tunisia’s principal maritime gateway, handling most of the country’s containerized trade.