Each year, Algeria drains a large flow of tourists who opt to cross the Mediterranean by ferries. But the national shipping company is struggling to compete with foreign carriers as it operates an aging and under-capacity fleet.
In the coming weeks, the National Maritime Passenger Transport Company (ENTMV) will take delivery of its new ferry. On February 3, the company dispatched a technical team to China to complete the factory acceptance and ferry the vessel.
This new car ferry was ordered in March 2018 as part of a contract between ENTMV and the Chinese tandem made up of Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) and China Shipbuilding Trading Co. (CSTC). The contract, worth $ 175 million, also covers a 6-month training program for the benefit of company crews.
199.9 m long and 29.95 m wide, it can accommodate up to 1,800 passengers and 600 vehicles, and navigate at a speed of 24 knots. The ship with all its amenities, its 1,500 beds as well as its 10-day fuel and food autonomy, offers the opportunity to organize cruises in low season.
This new acquisition will undoubtedly rejuvenate the ENTMV fleet which currently has three ferries, the Tariq Ibn Ziyed, the Tassili and El Djazaïr acquired almost 19 years ago. “This fleet cannot compete with the French and Spanish fleets, especially given its low capacity,” said Ahcène Gueraïria, head of the ENTMV last December. The company was forced to charter other vessels during the summer season in order to cover the shortage in maritime transport.
ENTMV is relying heavily on this new vessel to relaunch its activities suspended since March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It also posted a loss of 9 billion dinars (68 million USD) in December 2020.
