❤︎ CTN Ferries (Compagnie Tunisienne de Navigation, also known as COTUNAV) is Tunisia's national ferry company, publicly owned and supervised by the Tunisian Ministry of Transport. Founded on 7 March 1959, it is headquartered in Tunis and is the principal ferry operator between Tunisia and continental Europe. Its passenger network connects the Tunisian ports of La Goulette and Zarzis with Marseille (France) and Genoa (Italy), two of the most heavily travelled Mediterranean routes between North Africa and Europe. Certified under ISM, ISPS and ISO 9001 standards, CTN combines decades of experience with a progressive commitment to technological modernisation and the reduction of its environmental impact — going as far as reducing its cruising speed in 2023 to lower fuel emissions.
CTN Ferries offers year-round passenger crossings between Tunisia and two European ports: Marseille and Genoa. The routes to Zarzis (southern Tunisia) have a lower frequency and are especially popular among the Tunisian community resident in Europe. Definitive schedules and frequencies vary each season and are published on the official CTN website and the main comparison platforms.
From Marseille (France)
Marseille → Tunis (La Goulette) ~22–25 h ~2/week, year-round › Marseille → Zarzis ~37 h ~1/week ›From Genoa (Italy)
Genoa → Tunis (La Goulette) ~22–24 h ~3/week, year-round › Genoa → Zarzis ~24–27 h Seasonal ›The CTN Ferries network rests on four Mediterranean axes connecting Tunisia with southern Europe. The Genoa–Tunis route is the most frequent in weekly terms, while Marseille–Zarzis is the company's longest crossing and the one preferred by Tunisian communities from the south of the country. All routes accept foot passengers and vehicles.
CTN Ferries' most frequent route: up to 3 weekly departures year-round with a crossing time of around 22–24 hours. Very popular among the Tunisian community resident in Italy and among European tourists heading to Tunis or the Tunisian Mediterranean coast.
Duration: ~22–24 h · Ideal for: travellers with a car accessing Tunisia from northern Italy
A historic CTN Ferries connection: approximately 2 weekly departures year-round between the largest port in southern France and the Tunisian capital. An overnight crossing of around 22 to 25 hours, usually operated by the Tanit or the Carthage, with a wide range of cabins and services on board.
Duration: ~22–25 h · Ideal for: the Tunisian community in France and tourists travelling with a vehicle from southern Europe
CTN Ferries' longest crossing (~37 hours) connects the port of Marseille with Zarzis, in the far south of Tunisia near the Libyan border. Especially used by Tunisians from the south of the country returning from France. Approximately one weekly departure year-round.
Duration: ~37 h · Ideal for: travellers heading to southern Tunisia (Djerba, Gabès, Medenine)
A seasonal route connecting the port of Genoa with Zarzis during the high season. It offers a direct alternative from Italy for travellers heading to southern Tunisia, avoiding a change at the capital. On-board services include cabins, a restaurant and rest areas.
Duration: ~24–27 h · Ideal for: Italian tourists heading to southern Tunisia during the summer season
CTN Ferries operates with six owned vessels — four ro-ro cargo ships and two large ro-pax cruise-ferries — supplemented by two additional ro-ro vessels on charter. The passenger ships are the Tanit (2012, 3,200 pax, 1,060 vehicles, 5,300 linear metres of ramp — one of the world's largest car ferries) and the Carthage (1999, 2,208 pax, 666 vehicles, 23.5 knots). Both offer a level of comfort comparable to a Mediterranean cruise, with multiple facilities that make the crossing itself part of the holiday experience.
CTN Ferries' two passenger vessels are the stars of the European routes. The Tanit is one of the world's largest car ferries by vehicle capacity, while the Carthage — which revives the name of the company's very first Tunisian-flagged vessel — represented a turning point in the quality of CTN's passenger service when it entered service in 1999. The fleet is completed by four ro-ro cargo ships (Amilcar, Elyssa, Salammbô, Ulysse).
Tanit
Built in 2012, it is the largest and flagship vessel of CTN Ferries. Capacity: 3,200 passengers and 1,060 vehicles (5,300 linear metres of ramp). Two stern doors and one bow door with visor. Features on-board kennels for pets, a swimming pool, restaurants, jacuzzi, duty-free shop and prayer room. Named after Tanit, the Phoenician goddess and principal deity of Carthage.
Carthage
CTN's flagship since June 1999, built in Norway. Capacity: 2,208 passengers and 666 vehicles; top speed of 23.5 knots. Revives the name of the company's first Tunisian-flagged vessel. Equipped with cabins, a swimming pool, cafeteria, night bar and shop. A regular on the Marseille–Tunis and Genoa–Tunis routes.
Amilcar
A ro-ro cargo vessel built in 2000 (sistership of the Elyssa). Dedicated to goods and freight transport on the routes from La Goulette to the European ports of Barcelona and Livorno, as well as on seasonal reinforcement services. Part of the modernised fleet with which CTN updated its cargo operations at the turn of the millennium.
Elyssa
A ro-ro cargo vessel built in 2000 (sistership of the Amilcar). A twin vessel dedicated to freight routes between Tunisia and European ports. Together with the Amilcar, the Salammbô and the Ulysse (1997), it forms CTN's pure cargo axis sustaining maritime trade between Tunisia and Italy and Spain.
CTN Ferries operates from four ports: two in Tunisia (La Goulette, 10 km from the capital, and Zarzis in the south of the country) and two in Europe (Marseille in France and Genoa in Italy). The pure freight routes also call at the Spanish port of Barcelona and the Italian port of Livorno. Passengers always embark from La Goulette or Zarzis on the Tunisian side.
CTN Ferries applies discounts for age, family status and special groups on its passenger routes. Discounts are applied to the base fare (generally excluding fees and taxes). The following have been verified through official sources and comparison platforms:
CTN Ferries crossings last between 22 and 37 hours, making the choice of accommodation a key factor in journey comfort. The Tanit and Carthage offer different cabin categories in addition to seating options, with choices to suit every budget and need.
Prices vary considerably between the low season (October–May) and the high season (June–September), as well as according to how far in advance you book. Advance bookings and midweek travel generally offer the most competitive fares. CTN also offers standard fares and options with greater flexibility for amendments and cancellations.
Luggage rules differ depending on the port of embarkation. From Marseille (in force since 1 January 2024): passengers aged 10 and over may bring 2 pieces of luggage plus a rucksack or bag; children under 10 may bring one child-sized rucksack or bag. All luggage must be transported in a single trip; no return journeys during embarkation are permitted, and porter services are no longer available in Marseille. From Genoa: 2 suitcases per person are allowed with no official weight restriction. In general, it is advisable not to exceed 50 kg per item to facilitate embarkation. The ships have luggage lockers accessible at any time during the crossing.
Cars, motorcycles, bicycles, vans and motorhomes are accepted. It is compulsory to declare the registration plate, make and model of the vehicle at the time of booking. Unaccompanied vehicles cannot be transferred by CTN Ferries. You must arrive at the port at least 4 hours before departure (check-in opens 6 hours before). Once on board, access to the garage is strictly prohibited throughout the entire crossing for safety reasons; it is recommended that all necessary personal items be removed from the vehicle before sailing.
CTN Ferries accepts pets on board. Pets weighing over 10 kg must remain in the ship's designated areas (kennels); the Tanit has specific on-board facilities for this purpose. Pets weighing under 10 kg may travel in the owner's carrier, though a cage may also be required. It is also possible to book a pet-friendly cabin by selecting this option when booking. Pets may not access catering areas or communal lounges. The following breeds are not admitted as they are considered potentially dangerous: pitbull, rottweiler, tosa, mastiff and boer bull. Guide dogs are exempt from the cage requirements. Compulsory documentation includes: an up-to-date vaccination record, a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an EU pet passport (for routes departing from the EU).
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