Sea freight Tunisia-Europe: ports, lead times and rates 2025
Everything you need to know to optimize your supply chain between Tunisia and Europe: ports, frequencies, freight forwarders and updated rates.
Tunisian ports: who does what?
Tunisia has 7 commercial ports, of which 3 dominate foreign trade:
Port of Radès (Greater Tunis)
The country's main hub. Containers, Ro-Ro (vehicles, equipment), general cargo. Managed by GMP, it is the most connected port with Europe.
- Direct destinations: Marseille, Genoa, Barcelona, Antwerp
- Frequency: 3 to 5 departures/week depending on season
- Radès-Marseille transit: 3–4 days
Port of Sfax
Specialized in bulk, phosphates, olive oil, dates, cereals. Ideal for agri-food producers from central and southern Tunisia.
- Destinations: Marseille, Tunis (cabotage), Italy
- Sfax-Marseille transit: 4–5 days
Port of La Goulette (Ferry + cruise)
Dedicated to passenger + vehicle ferry traffic. Little used for pure commercial freight, but relevant for mixed passenger freight.
Main active shipping lines
| Company | Service | Departure | Destination |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMA-CGM | Containers | Radès | Marseille, Genoa, Barcelona |
| Hapag-Lloyd | Containers | Radès | Antwerp, Hamburg (via transhipment) |
| MSC | Containers | Radès | Genoa, Barcelona |
| Grendi / CTN | Ro-Ro + ferry | Radès | Civitavecchia (Rome), Genoa |
| GNV | Passenger ferry | La Goulette | Genoa, Marseille |
2025 rates: estimates by type
Rates vary by season, port congestion and surcharges (BAF fuel, CAF exchange, GRI).
FCL (Full Container Load)
| Route | 20' (TEU) | 40' (FEU) |
|---|---|---|
| Radès → Marseille | €900–1,500 | €1,300–2,200 |
| Radès → Genoa | €950–1,600 | €1,400–2,400 |
| Radès → Barcelona | €1,000–1,700 | €1,500–2,500 |
| Radès → Antwerp | €1,400–2,200 | €2,000–3,200 |
Excluding THC, documentation, customs clearance.
LCL (Less than Container Load)
- Radès → Marseille: €65–95/m³ (1 m³ minimum)
- Additional lead time: +3 to 5 days (groupage at warehouse)
- Ideal for 500 kg to 5,000 kg shipments
Air freight (Tunis-Carthage → CDG / BRU)
- Transit: 24–48h
- Rate: €2.50–4.50/kg (all-in)
- Best for: samples, urgent electronic components, premium textile
Estimated door-to-door lead times
| Route | Sea | Air |
|---|---|---|
| Tunis → Paris | 8–14 days | 3–5 days |
| Sfax → Marseille | 7–12 days | 4–6 days |
| Tunis → Brussels | 10–16 days | 3–5 days |
| Tunis → Hamburg | 12–18 days | 4–6 days |
Includes TN export + EU import customs clearance, inland transport.
Choosing a Tunisian freight forwarder
A good forwarder on the Tunisia-Europe axis must:
- Hold a Tunisian customs license (CTC accreditation)
- Have capacity agreements with carriers
- Master EUR.1 and special customs regimes (temporary admission, bonded warehouse)
- Offer real-time tracking
Major players present in Tunisia: Geodis, Bolloré Logistics, DHL Global Forwarding, Kuehne+Nagel, SDV.
Surcharges to anticipate
Base rates are rarely the final price. Anticipate:
- BAF/EBS (fuel): €100–300/container depending on oil price
- THC (port handling): €150–250 per container at destination
- CAF (exchange): 0–2% if invoiced in USD
- Congestion surcharge: during Christmas peaks or crises (e.g., Red Sea 2024)
2025 trends
- Shorter transit times: Radès port modernization investment (EBRD/EIB project)
- Ro-Ro growth: Tunisian auto industry (PSA subsidiary, Leoni, Yazaki) generates growing flows
- Green transition: CMA-CGM and MSC offer biofuel options on Mediterranean lines
Need a Tunisia-Europe logistics quote? TuniTrade connects you with verified freight forwarders active at Radès and Sfax ports. Request a quote — reply within 24h.
