Compagnie Tunisienne de Navigation
A Tunisian state-owned shipping line operating passenger ferries and freight services linking Tunisia with European Mediterranean ports.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Compagnie Tunisienne de Navigation, commonly known as CTN or COTUNAV, is Tunisia's state-owned maritime transport company. Headquartered in Tunis and supervised by the Tunisian Ministry of Transport, it operates scheduled passenger ferry connections and commercial freight services between Tunisia and several European ports. Its passenger network is principally associated with Marseille in France and Genoa in Italy, while its freight activity has included routes to Barcelona in Spain and Livorno in Italy. CTN was established on 7 March 1959, shortly after Tunisian independence, with the strategic objective of creating regular maritime links between Tunisia and its principal trading partners. Its initial operations concentrated on Marseille and Rouen. As Tunisia sought to broaden its overseas trade, the company expanded its network to ports in Italy, Spain, Germany and the Benelux countries. This early development gave CTN a role not only in passenger mobility but also in the movement of import and export cargo supporting the Tunisian economy. During the 1970s, CTN broadened its cargo portfolio to include crude oil, petroleum products and foodstuffs. The company also increased its involvement in passenger transportation. A significant step came in 1978 with the introduction of the ferry Habib, which served the Tunis–Marseille–Genoa corridor. During the same period, CTN expanded its dry-cargo capability through the acquisition of the bulk carriers Moularès and S’hib in 1976–1977 and El-Kef in 1982. The company progressively adopted roll-on/roll-off operations and renewed its fleet with vessels designed to handle wheeled cargo more efficiently. El-Jem and Tozeur were delivered in 1977, followed by Bizerte and Kairouan in 1979. CTN also supplemented its capacity through seasonal chartering, including the turbo-electric vessel Carlo R during the summers of 1990, 1991 and 1992. Changing conditions in the international maritime sector later led CTN to reassess its activities and sell older ships. The company increasingly focused on core passenger-ferry and roll-on/roll-off businesses while modernizing its fleet. Two large ro-ro vessels, Ulysse and Salammbô 7, became part of this renewal program. In June 1999, the Norwegian-built ferry Carthage entered service. It could accommodate up to 2,208 passengers and 666 cars and operated weekly crossings from Tunis to Marseille and Genoa. A further fleet modernization milestone occurred in 2012, when CTN received the ferry Tanit, built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering in South Korea. The vessel was designed for approximately 3,200 passengers and 1,060 vehicles and had a reported service speed of 27.5 knots. Following the arrival of Tanit, Habib and El-Kef were decommissioned in 2013. The reference material describes CTN as operating a fleet of six vessels consisting of four ro-ro ships and two ro-pax ferries, supplemented by two chartered ro-ro vessels; the precise current fleet composition may require confirmation from an up-to-date company source. CTN remains a strategic Tunisian transport enterprise. Its services support travel between Tunisia and Europe, especially seasonal passenger movements, while its freight operations provide maritime links for vehicles and other cargo. The company’s development reflects Tunisia’s changing trade relationships, the transition from conventional bulk shipping toward roll-on/roll-off logistics, and the continuing importance of ferry connectivity across the western and central Mediterranean.
History
Compagnie Tunisienne de Navigation was founded on 7 March 1959 as Tunisia's national maritime shipping company. Its original mission was to establish dependable scheduled shipping links between Tunisia and the country's principal commercial partners. The company initially focused on Marseille and Rouen, but its network expanded as Tunisia diversified its overseas trade. CTN subsequently served ports in Italy, Spain, Germany and the Benelux countries. In its first decades, CTN combined several maritime businesses. During the 1970s it carried crude oil, petroleum products and foodstuffs, while also developing passenger transportation. The acquisition of bulk carriers Moularès and S’hib in 1976–1977 and El-Kef in 1982 strengthened its cargo fleet. Passenger operations became more prominent with the introduction of the ferry Habib in 1978, which operated between Tunis, Marseille and Genoa. CTN also moved toward roll-on/roll-off shipping and began renewing its fleet with specialized vessels. El-Jem and Tozeur were delivered in 1977, followed by Bizerte and Kairouan in 1979. For additional seasonal passenger capacity, the company chartered Carlo R during the summers of 1990, 1991 and 1992. As the global shipping industry changed, CTN sold older vessels and concentrated more closely on passenger ferries and ro-ro freight. The company added the large ro-ro ships Ulysse and Salammbô 7 and continued its passenger-fleet renewal with Carthage, a Norwegian-built ferry that entered service in June 1999. Carthage was designed for 2,208 passengers and 666 cars and served weekly Tunis–Marseille and Tunis–Genoa crossings. The next major modernization step was the delivery of Tanit in 2012. Built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, the ferry was designed for approximately 3,200 passengers and 1,060 vehicles. Its arrival led to the decommissioning of Habib and El-Kef in 2013. Reference material describes CTN's fleet as comprising four ro-ro vessels and two ro-pax ferries, with two additional ro-ro vessels chartered, although a current fleet inventory should be checked against a recent official source. CTN continues to serve as a state-owned maritime transport operator under the supervision of Tunisia's Ministry of Transport. Its principal role is to connect Tunisia with European Mediterranean ports through passenger ferry and freight services, particularly on routes involving Marseille, Genoa, Barcelona and Livorno.
- 2013
Habib and El-Kef are decommissioned
[1]The two vessels are withdrawn after Tanit's introduction.
- 2012
Tanit is delivered
[1]CTN receives the large ferry Tanit as part of its fleet-renewal program.
- 1999
Carthage enters service
[1]The ferry Carthage begins weekly passenger service between Tunis and Marseille and between Tunis and Genoa.
- 1990
Seasonal chartering begins with Carlo R
[1]CTN charters Carlo R for summer operations, continuing through the summers of 1991 and 1992.
- 1982
El-Kef joins the fleet
[1]CTN acquires the bulk carrier El-Kef.
- 1979
Further ro-ro deliveries
[1]The vessels Bizerte and Kairouan join CTN's fleet.
- 1978
Habib enters passenger service
[1]The ferry Habib begins operating the Tunis–Marseille–Genoa connection.
- 1977
Cargo and ro-ro fleet expansion
[1]CTN acquires S’hib and takes delivery of the ro-ro vessels El-Jem and Tozeur.
- 1976
Acquisition of Moularès
[1]CTN acquires the bulk carrier Moularès as part of the expansion of its cargo fleet.
- 1959
CTN is founded
[1]The company is established on 7 March to develop regular maritime connections between Tunisia and its main trading partners.
Products and positioning
State-owned Tunisian maritime transport operator combining Mediterranean passenger ferry services with roll-on/roll-off and other freight transportation.
Passenger maritime transport · 1978
Passenger ferry services
CTN provides scheduled passenger ferry connections between Tunisia and European Mediterranean ports. Its best-documented passenger routes connect Tunis with Marseille and Genoa. The service is designed for both foot passengers and travelers carrying private vehicles, with large ro-pax ferries providing onboard accommodation and vehicle capacity.
Freight maritime transport · 1977
Roll-on/roll-off freight services
CTN operates roll-on/roll-off shipping for wheeled cargo, including vehicles and other freight that can be loaded through ship ramps. The company shifted toward ro-ro operations during its fleet-renewal program and has documented freight connections involving Barcelona and Livorno, in addition to its passenger-route network.
Bulk freight transport · 1970
Bulk and commodity shipping
Historically, CTN transported bulk and liquid commodities including crude oil, petroleum products and foodstuffs. Bulk carriers such as Moularès, S’hib and El-Kef formed part of this earlier operating model before the company refocused more strongly on passenger ferries and roll-on/roll-off freight.
Ro-pax ferry · 2012
Tanit
Tanit is a large passenger and vehicle ferry delivered to CTN in 2012. Reference material gives it capacity for approximately 3,200 passengers and 1,060 vehicles, with a reported speed of 27.5 knots. Its arrival supported the retirement of older vessels and represented a major stage in CTN's fleet modernization.
Passenger and vehicle ferry · 1999
Carthage
Carthage entered CTN service in June 1999 as a Norwegian-built ferry. It was designed to carry up to 2,208 passengers and 666 cars and operated weekly crossings between Tunis and Marseille and between Tunis and Genoa. It is one of the principal named vessels associated with CTN's modern passenger-ferry operations.
Brand decisions
2012
Fleet modernization through TanitGeneration changeBackground
CTN sought to replace older vessels and adapt its fleet to contemporary passenger and vehicle transport requirements.
Action taken
CTN received Tanit, a large ferry built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, with reported capacity for approximately 3,200 passengers and 1,060 vehicles.
Aftermath
The arrival of Tanit preceded the decommissioning of Habib and El-Kef in 2013.
1999
Introduction of CarthageProduct launchBackground
CTN was renewing its passenger-ferry fleet and strengthening regular links with France and Italy.
Action taken
The company placed the new ferry Carthage into service in June 1999 on weekly Tunis–Marseille and Tunis–Genoa crossings.
Aftermath
Carthage increased passenger and vehicle capacity on CTN's principal European routes.
1990
Seasonal chartering to add summer capacityStrategyBackground
CTN needed additional capacity for seasonal passenger demand during the summers of 1990, 1991 and 1992.
Action taken
The company chartered the turbo-electric vessel Carlo R from the Sicilian company Alimar for those summer seasons.
Aftermath
The charter provided temporary capacity without requiring CTN to permanently add the vessel to its fleet.
Sources1 sources
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