Enfidha deepwater port project off drawing board
Reaffirming the state's commitment to this strategic project, while safeguarding national sovereignty and considering economic and social factors, Minister Amri emphasized that the port will mark a major qualitative leap for Tunisia.
The first next-generation port will adhere to international standards in quality, safety, and environmental sustainability in maritime transport, while also enhancing port infrastructure.
He highlighted the project's potential to leverage Tunisia's regional geographic positioning as a gateway to Africa, boosting competitiveness through synergy with other Tunisian commercial ports to ensure operational efficiency and profitability.
Following a presentation on the port and logistics zone components, the minister called for preparing a comprehensive dossier covering practical measures—including land and regulatory aspects—to ensure smooth execution within the defined timeline.
Enfidha Deepwater Port: An 11-Year Delay
The project, delayed for 11 years, is managed by the state-owned Enfidha Port Company, responsible for its completion, development, and maintenance, as well as coordinating related transport infrastructure projects and conducting feasibility studies.
Once operational, the port is expected to handle 4.8 million 20-foot containers, creating 52,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Designed to meet international quality, safety, and environmental standards, it will position Tunisia as a key East-West transport hub, cutting delivery times by up to 10 days and reducing costs by 15%, while attracting transshipment traffic in the Central and Western Mediterranean.
Project Phases and Timelines
The port is slated for completion in two phases by 2030:
– Phase 1 (3 years, starting 2023): Development of the 1,000-hectare port area, including 1,200 meters of docks and an accelerated 560-meter solid bulk terminal (capacity: 4 million tons).
– Phase 2 (5 years): Expansion to 2,000 hectares for economic and logistics services, plus the remaining 800 meters of docks.
The total cost for Phase 1 is estimated at $1.04 billion, funded 75% by the public sector and 25% by private investment.
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