The first passenger ship line was launched yesterday from Tripoli Passenger Terminal to Zarzis, southern Tunisia.
The launch event also celebrated the reopening of Tripoli Passenger Terminal (Al-Shaab Terminal) which has been closed for more than eleven years. It is expected that there will initially be a weekly service to Zarzis.
Augurating the passenger line and the passenger terminal, Minister of Transport, Mohamed Shahubi, expressed his thanks to all the competent authorities that contributed to the success of this event after a hiatus of more than 11 years.
Other marine lines to Tunisia will be launched
He said the inauguration came after several meetings (between the Libyan and Tunisian sides) held in the past and the directives of the Libyan Prime Minister and his keenness to provide the best services to the citizen regarding the operation of sea lines. He confirmed that the Zarzis line will be the start and then new lines to the ports of Sfax and La Goulette in the capital Tunis.
Other marine lines to neighbouring states will be launched
The transport minister also revealed that ‘‘in the coming period, there will be several other steps to launch several cruises to several neighbouring countries.’’
Part of an overall plan to increase transport to Tunisia
The launch of the new passenger line to Zarzis is part of an overall plan by Libya, and to an extent Tunisia, to increase and improve modes of transport between the two countries. This is especially so in the case of passengers who have had to endure the poor service and facilities as well as long waiting times at the main Libya-Tunisian land border crossing, Ras Jdair.
The desire to increase and improve transport links between the two neighbouring country comes within the wider framework to increase travel and bilateral trade – as well as transit trade to sub-Saharan Africa.
The Tripoli-Zarzis passenger line comes in the footsteps of the very successful cruise line established between Misrata and Istanbul.
Tunisian ambassador affirms desire to operate lines to Misrata Maritime Terminal | (libyaherald.com)
Misrata Maritime Terminal preparing to launch cruise trips to Istanbul after Eid | (libyaherald.com)
Cargo shipping line between Tunisia and Libya to be launched second week of April (libyaherald.com)
