CTN

What CTN does

CTN (Compagnie Tunisienne de Navigation) is Tunisia's state-owned national maritime carrier, operating passenger and roll-on/roll-off (RORO) cargo ferry services primarily between Tunis/La Goulette and the European ports of Marseille (France) and Genoa (Italy). Founded in 1959 and headquartered at 5 Avenue Dag Hammarskjoeld, Tunis, the company runs a fleet of five principal vessels — TANIT, CARTHAGE, AMILCAR, ULYSSE, and ELYSSA — with AMILCAR providing 680 TEU container and 180-trailer cargo capacity alongside passenger ferries that carry up to approximately 2,100 passengers and 788 vehicles per voyage. Secondary port calls include Rades, Sfax, and Gabès/Zarzis.

The company's technology stack is conventional and operational rather than differentiated: a digital reservation storefront (tunisiaferries.ctn.com.tn) supported by a downloadable booking manual, a separate E-Connaissement freight-manifest platform (digital.ctn.com.tn:7743), the HOGIA reservation system used with travel agency partners, satellite internet on car ferries, and procurement via Tunisia's TUNEPS public e-procurement portal. CTN sells seven published fare categories (SPOT, FAMILLE, CORAIL, BIENVENUE, AMITIE, ESCAPADE, JASMIN) targeting the Tunisian diaspora, tourists, and commercial freight shippers.

Revenue is generated across four streams: passenger ticket sales (transaction-based), cargo/container fees (transaction-based), duty-free shop concession royalties licensed to onboard operators, and event-based maritime cruises. Go-to-market combines direct channels (own agencies, website) with a 350+ travel-agency reseller network across Tunisian regions and Europe. Ancillary monetization includes on-board BH BANK financial services for passengers. Underlying customer segments are individual travelers (primary), freight/cargo operators, travel agencies, and the Tunisian state (as owner and strategic stakeholder).

Name

CTN

Legal name

Compagnie Tunisienne de Navigation

Website

https://ctn.com.tn

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

CTN (Compagnie Tunisienne de Navigation) is Tunisia's state-owned national ferry operator, providing passenger and RORO cargo services between Tunis and the European ports of Marseille and Genoa using a five-vessel fleet. It serves the Tunisian diaspora, tourists, freight shippers, and travel-agency resellers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Passenger Ferry Services

NAICS

Water Transportation (483)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Ro-Pax Ferry Operators (Passenger + Vehicle Ferries) (TLAFALAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cross-Border & International Passenger Ferries (THAIAJAI), International Cross-Border Ferry Services (THAEAGAL)

Keywords

• Passenger ferry services
• Maritime transportation
• Freight shipping services
• Car ferry operations
• Mediterranean shipping

Headquarters

HQ city

Tunis

HQ country

Tunisia

HQ region

Africa

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Passenger Ferry Services: Revenue from passenger ticket sales for ferry services between Tunisia (Tunis/La Goulette) and Europe (Marseille, Genoa) on routes including Marseille-Tunis and Gênes-Tunis, with various fare categories (SPOT, FAMILLE, CORAIL, BIENVENUE, AMITIE, ESCAPADE, JASMIN)
2. Cargo/Freight Transport: Revenue from transporting vehicles (roulier) and containers (680 EVP capacity on AMILCAR and ELYSSA vessels) on car-ferry routes; also mentions RORO and ROPAX vessel acquisition plans
3. Duty-Free Shop Management: Revenue from duty-free shop concessions (Duty-Free-Shop) operated on board car-ferries by external operators managing boutiques for passengers
4. Maritime Cruises: Special cruise events organized for holidays (e.g., New Year cruise on Tanit) and other occasions, offering entertainment and dining experiences

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CTN (Compagnie Tunisienne de Navigation) operates scheduled passenger and cargo ferry services between Tunisia (Tunis/La Goulette) and European ports in Marseille (France) and Genoa (Italy). The company transports passengers, accompanied vehicles, containers (up to 680 EVP on AMILCAR/ELYSSA), and rolling freight (RORO trailers up to 180 units on AMILCAR) using a fleet of five car-ferries, supplemented by onboard duty-free shops, satellite internet, and banking services through partner BH BANK.

Product overview

CTN (Compagnie Tunisienne de Navigation) operates as Tunisia's national maritime ferry company offering passenger and freight transport services. The company operates a fleet of car ferries including TANIT, CARTHAGE, ELYSSA, ULYSSE, AMILCAR, and SALAMMBO on routes between Tunisia and Europe (Marseille, Genoa). The core product offering consists of passenger ferry services with various pricing plans (SPOT, FAMILLE, CORAIL, BIENVENUE, AMITIE, ESCAPADE, JASMIN), supported by digital services including the E-Connaissement electronic freight system and the Tunisia Ferries online booking platform. Additional services include duty-free shops on board, satellite internet connectivity, and cargo/freight transport capabilities. The company also maintains vessel fleet through regular technical stop maintenance programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Passenger Ferry Services Scheduled passenger ferry transport on the Tunis–Marseille and Tunis–Genoa routes, serving individual travelers, the Tunisian diaspora, and tourists. Vessels carry up to 2,129 passengers and 788 vehicles per voyage. Tickets are sold via CTN agencies, the Tunisia Ferries website, and authorized travel agencies under seven fare categories (SPOT, FAMILLE, CORAIL, BIENVENUE, AMITIE, ESCAPADE, JASMIN).
• Cargo and Freight Transport Services Commercial freight transport via RORO (roll-on/roll-off) trailer service and container shipping between Tunisia and European ports. Vessels AMILCAR (193m, 21.2 knots) and ELYSSA provide 680 EVP container capacity; AMILCAR additionally supports 180 rolling trailers. Targeted at freight forwarders, importers/exporters, and logistics operators.
• E-Connaissement Digital Freight Platform Web-based electronic consignment/manifest system that enables freight customers to process bills of lading and shipping documentation digitally. Accessible at digital.ctn.com.tn:7743, the platform supports CTN's commercial cargo operations and reduces paperwork for freight clients.
• Onboard Duty-Free Shops Duty-free shopping boutiques operated aboard CTN's car-ferries by external concessionaires selected through international tender processes. Shops serve passengers during crossings on regular lines and generate revenue through concession/licensing arrangements with CTN.
• Special Maritime Cruise Events Themed multi-hour or 24-hour sea voyages organized for holidays and special occasions, such as the New Year's Eve cruise aboard Tanit featuring onboard entertainment and dining. Available to individual passengers seeking a leisure cruise experience.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 2,129 passengers transported per single voyage
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• BH BANKcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2023BH BANK and CTN formed a partnership to provide banking services to passengers on CTN car-ferries TANIT and CARTHAGE. As part of the state policy to assist Tunisians residing abroad, BH BANK stations specialized advisors at personalized stands on board to offer various financing formulas, offers, and banking services in Tunisia. This partnership enables passengers to access banking services during their ferry crossing.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• DFDS: Large European ferry and logistics operator with extensive route network across the North Sea, Baltic, and Mediterranean. Comparable as a broad incumbent in Ro-Pax passenger/freight ferry operations with similar digital booking infrastructure, though operating on a much larger geographic scale than CTN.

Direct peers

• Moby Lines: Italian ferry operator serving Mediterranean routes primarily to Corsica, Sardinia, and Elba. Comparable in operating Ro-Pax ferries with mixed passenger and freight services on European short-sea corridors.
• Balearia: Spanish private ferry company operating passenger and freight services across the Mediterranean, including routes to North Africa. Comparable in operating modern Ro-Pax ferries with onboard amenities and digital booking systems.
• Corsica Ferries: Major Italian-French private ferry operator serving Mediterranean routes with both passenger and freight capacity. Comparable in operating large Ro-Pax ferries on competitive Mediterranean corridors with strong passenger volumes.
• Trasmediterránea: Spanish state-owned ferry operator (subsidiary of Naviera Armas) historically running passenger and freight services across the Mediterranean, including North Africa. Comparable state-backed ferry operator with similar Ro-Pax and passenger ferry business on Mediterranean corridors.
• GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci): Italian ferry operator running Ro-Pax services on Western Mediterranean routes including Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria. Directly competes with CTN on Tunisia–Genoa and shares a comparable mixed passenger/vehicle/freight model.
• Grimaldi Lines: Italian ferry and Ro-Ro operator with Mediterranean routes including connections to North Africa. Comparable in operating combined passenger and vehicle freight capacity across the Western Mediterranean.
• Tirrenia CIN: Italian ferry operator with a long history of state concession contracts running passenger and freight services across the Mediterranean and to Sardinia/Sicily. Comparable in its mixed passenger/freight Ro-Pax model on Italian-flag routes.
• Algérie Ferries: Algeria's state-owned national ferry company operating passenger and Ro-Ro services between Algeria and European ports (Marseille, Alicante, Barcelona). Directly comparable to CTN as a North African national flag ferry operator with similar mixed passenger/cargo model and state backing.
• La Méridionale: French ferry company operating passenger and cargo services between Marseille and North African ports including Morocco and Algeria. Directly comparable as a French-flag operator serving the same Marseille hub CTN uses for Tunisia services.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tunisiaferries
• Facebookfacebook.com/ctn.com.tn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/compagnie-tunisienne-de-navigation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CTN