A joint venture involving MSC Cruises finalized the takeover of the operator of Tunis' cruise port.
The European cruise line joined forces with independent cruise ports owner Global Ports Holding in 2019 to bid to run La Goulette. The deal to acquire the company that runs the cruise ship terminal at the Tunisian port, Goulette Shipping Cruise, has been completed for an undisclosed sum.
The concession to operate the port was awarded to Goulette Shipping Cruise back in 2006 on a thirty-year basis, with a right to extend the term for additional twenty years.
Ship calls into the cruise port declined for 4 years following the 2015 terrorist attack on Bardo Museum in the Tunisian capital, which killed 22 tourists.
Regular calls in the port resumed in November 2019 with at least 10 ships expected in 2020 and more forecast in 2021.
According to Global Ports Holding, La Goulette handled around 900,000 cruise passengers in 2010 and an average of 441,000 per year between 2011-2014.
However, the company said that passenger volumes had been low in recent years.