Tunisian Transport Minister, Rached Ammari, has announced that the country will start restructuring its maritime fleet and program the acquisition of new ships that meet green shipping standards. This move is part of the country's strategy to develop its maritime transport sector and ports. Tunisia has a series of commercial seaports along its coastline, with seven ports that handle 98% of the country's external trade, equivalent to around 30 million tons per year.
The announcement was made during the opening of a workshop on "Port Days," which is being held in collaboration with the US Embassy in Tunis. The workshop, which will run until September 23, aims to discuss the development of the maritime transport sector and ports in Tunisia. Minister Ammari emphasized that the development of the maritime transport sector and ports is a strategic priority for Tunisia.
The restructuring of the national maritime fleet will involve the rehabilitation of existing ships and the acquisition of new ships that meet clean shipping standards. This move is part of Tunisia's efforts to upgrade its maritime transport sector and ports in line with international standards in the areas of safety, security, and environmental protection. The government is also working on implementing a program to develop port infrastructure.
Minister Ammari highlighted the importance of developing a deep-water port and a logistics hub that will cover over 2,000 hectares. The project also involves connecting the port to rail and road networks, which will help establish Tunisia as a regional logistics hub in the Mediterranean and a gateway to Africa.
The development of the maritime transport sector and ports is part of Tunisia's efforts to promote sustainable development and environmental protection. The country's ports handle a significant volume of trade, and the government is working to ensure that they operate in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.
The "Port Days" workshop brings together stakeholders from the maritime transport sector and ports to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the sector. The workshop will also provide a platform for participants to share experiences and best practices in the development of the maritime transport sector and ports.
Tunisia's efforts to develop its maritime transport sector and ports are expected to have a positive impact on the country's economy and trade. The country's strategic location in the Mediterranean makes it an important hub for trade between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Key points
- Tunisia to acquire new ships that meet green shipping standards as part of its efforts to restructure its maritime fleet.
- The country's ports handle 98% of its external trade, equivalent to around 30 million tons per year.
- A deep-water port and logistics hub covering over 2,000 hectares is to be developed.
