“The port of La Goulette is expected to receive around 560,000 passengers and 250,000 cars during the 2023 summer season, an improvement on the figures recorded during the summer of 2022 (500,000 passengers and 150,000 cars)”, said Mohamed Omran, director of the port of La Goulette, on Thursday.

Speaking in an interview with TAP on the fringes of the first trip made by the Compagnie Tunisienne de Navigation (CTN), on board the ship “Tanit” (bound for Marseille), the official expressed the hope of achieving record figures similar to those recorded during 2022, i.e. 754,000 passengers and almost 300,000 cars.

“Activity at the port of La Goulette is fairly dynamic, not just during the summer season, but throughout the year, particularly during the period from the end of December to the end of January, and during holiday weeks abroad, when a large flow of passengers is recorded”.

However, around 56% of the port’s annual activity is recorded during the summer season, which runs from the end of June to the end of September, he noted, adding that the port exports around 500,000 tonnes of cement annually, and hosts several tourist cruises.

The port is also the point of passage for some 50,000 new cars each year, and the only one to receive vehicles imported by Tunisian car dealers. It also offers important services to economic companies, especially those whose business is export-oriented.

However, the port suffers from a number of difficulties, in particular, the limited space allocated to economic activities, he pointed out, asserting that it is essential to develop new spaces, especially outside the port, and to opt for digitisation and simplification of procedures, so as to rationalise the use of spaces within the port and ensure the best conditions for welcoming Tunisians living abroad.

In this context, a study is being prepared on the rationalisation of the use of the port’s external spaces and the fluidity of traffic with a view to putting an end to the swindling to which travellers outside the port are sometimes subjected.

According to the port director, the institution is also studying ways of improving infrastructure, digitising check-in procedures and extending waiting areas outside the port.

Speaking about preparations for the 2023 summer season, Omrane told TAP that a large number of advisory staff will be mobilised, as well as a health team, which will be present at the port 24 hours a day. Veterinary health representatives will be on site and an ambulance will be made available to the port, should the need arise.

He also stated that the port’s management will respond to any complaints received from citizens immediately, whether via social media, e-mail, the citizen relations office or the port’s toll-free number.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse