Trasmediterranea Establishes Itself in the Algerian Market While Algeria Ferries Faces Challenges
The summer season of 2024 has been marked by remarkable performances for Trasmediterranea, which has reported impressive figures in the maritime transport sector between southern Andalusia and northern Africa.
With 850,000 passengers and 265,000 vehicles transported, the Spanish company Trasmediterranea recorded a 5% increase compared to the previous year, despite a challenging context for maritime transport in Algeria, or rather, thanks to this difficult situation in Algerian maritime transport. The challenges faced by Algeria Ferries were at the heart of this tumultuous season. The troubles for the shipping company began at the start of summer, with a fleet severely impacted by recurring breakdowns.
Vessels such as the Tassili II and the Moby Dada, chartered to supplement the fleet, experienced major malfunctions, disrupting the schedule of crossings. On the other hand, the Tarik Ibn Ziad, another crucial ferry for the company, also had to be sent for maintenance in Greece. These technical difficulties drew attention to the chaotic management of Algeria Ferries. In response, Trasmediterranea successfully optimized its offerings.
Between June 1 and September 15, the company ensured over 3,200 departures, effectively connecting the ports of Algeciras, Malaga, Motril, and Almeria to Ceuta, Melilla, as well as to Morocco and Algeria. This timely adaptation and its expanded summer offerings allowed Trasmediterranea to stand out in the Algerian market.
Trasmediterranea: The New Competitor to Algeria Ferries
Óscar Martínez, the commercial director of Trasmediterranea, emphasized that the success of this season was the result of a collective effort involving the commercial, operational, and technical teams, as well as close collaboration with port and security authorities. The company’s policy of competitive pricing, with crossings to Algeria starting at €112.68 for an adult, along with its « no-fee changes » policy for travel, also contributed to attracting numerous travelers.
In contrast, Algeria Ferries faced frequent cancellations and rescheduling of crossings, disrupting the plans of many passengers, highlighting the difficulties in the Algerian market. In this context, a new shipping company has recently emerged in Algeria, Nouris El Bahr Ferries, which was supposed to operate the crossing between the ports of Béjaïa, Algeria, and Marseille, France. However, the shipping company had to postpone the start of its program, leaving travelers in limbo.
It is important to note that the maritime transport sector in Algeria is undergoing significant changes, with increasing calls for market liberalization to the private sector. Deputy Abdelouahab Yagoubi criticized the government’s inability to implement promised reforms to open the air and maritime transport sectors to private entities since August 2021. In light of this growing competitive dynamic, Algeria Ferries has promised improvements. Mohamed Tayeb Abboud, chairman of the board of directors of ENTMV, stated that 98% of the crossing program for the summer season of 2024 had been completed and committed to addressing the shortcomings for the next season.
The summer season of 2024 has been marked by remarkable performances for Trasmediterranea, which has reported impressive figures in the maritime transport sector between southern Andalusia and northern Africa.
With 850,000 passengers and 265,000 vehicles transported, the Spanish company Trasmediterranea recorded a 5% increase compared to the previous year, despite a challenging context for maritime transport in Algeria, or rather, thanks to this difficult situation in Algerian maritime transport. The challenges faced by Algeria Ferries were at the heart of this tumultuous season. The troubles for the shipping company began at the start of summer, with a fleet severely impacted by recurring breakdowns.
Maritime News in the Maghreb
Vessels such as the Tassili II and the Moby Dada, chartered to supplement the fleet, experienced major malfunctions, disrupting the schedule of crossings. On the other hand, the Tarik Ibn Ziad, another crucial ferry for the company, also had to be sent for maintenance in Greece. These technical difficulties drew attention to the chaotic management of Algeria Ferries. In response, Trasmediterranea successfully optimized its offerings.
Between June 1 and September 15, the company ensured over 3,200 departures, effectively connecting the ports of Algeciras, Malaga, Motril, and Almeria to Ceuta, Melilla, as well as to Morocco and Algeria. This timely adaptation and its expanded summer offerings allowed Trasmediterranea to stand out in the Algerian market.
Between June 1 and…
Trasmediterranea: The New Competitor to Algeria Ferries
Óscar Martínez, the commercial director of Trasmediterranea, emphasized that the success of this season was the result of a collective effort involving the commercial, operational, and technical teams, as well as close collaboration with port and security authorities. The company’s policy of competitive pricing, with crossings to Algeria starting at €112.68 for an adult, along with its « no-fee changes » policy for travel, also contributed to attracting numerous travelers.
The summer season of 2024 has…
In contrast, Algeria Ferries faced frequent cancellations and rescheduling of crossings, disrupting the plans of many passengers, highlighting the difficulties in the Algerian market. In this context, a new shipping company has recently emerged in Algeria, Nouris El Bahr Ferries, which was supposed to operate the crossing between the ports of Béjaïa, Algeria, and Marseille, France. However, the shipping company had to postpone the start of its program, leaving travelers in limbo.
It is important to note that the maritime transport sector in Algeria is undergoing significant changes, with increasing calls for market liberalization to the private sector. Deputy Abdelouahab Yagoubi criticized the government’s inability to implement promised reforms to open the air and maritime transport sectors to private entities since August 2021. In light of this growing competitive dynamic, Algeria Ferries has promised improvements. Mohamed Tayeb Abboud, chairman of the board of directors of ENTMV, stated that 98% of the crossing program for the summer season of 2024 had been completed and committed to addressing the shortcomings for the next season.
