MSC Adds Tunisian Port of Zarzis to Italy–North Africa Libya Service: Gioia Tauro–Misurata–Tripoli–Zarzis Rotation

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has added the Tunisian port of Zarzis as a new port of call on its Italy–North Africa Libya Service I, marking the first time the Tunisian port is included in a regular container shipping rotation. Located approximately 50 kilometers from the Libyan border, Zarzis is expected to enhance regional connectivity and provide additional logistics options for cargo flows between North Africa and Southern Europe. The revised service rotation will be Gioia Tauro (Italy) → Misurata (Libya) → Tripoli (Libya) → Zarzis (Tunisia) → return to Gioia Tauro, with the Zarzis call included on selected sailings.

The update reflects MSC's ongoing effort to strengthen its Mediterranean network coverage and improve access to emerging regional trade hubs. Gioia Tauro functions as MSC's Mediterranean transhipment hub; Misurata and Tripoli are Libya's two largest container ports; Zarzis is a strategic southeastern Tunisian port near the Libyan border. Intermodal road connections from Tunisia open new access to southern Libya and Sahel infrastructure.

From a supply chain perspective, the move matters in three dimensions. First, in a period when Libya's post-war economic recovery is lifting non-oil foreign trade volumes, adding container capacity on the Tunisian side diversifies regional supply security. Second, during operational disruptions or political tension at Misurata and Tripoli, Zarzis offers a backup transhipment option that protects continuity of cargo flows. Third, this spot-call strategy, used by MSC to expand Mediterranean feeder market share, indirectly pressures CMA CGM and Maersk on their North Africa route design.

Key Takeaways:
1. MSC has added the Tunisian port of Zarzis to its Italy–North Africa Libya Service I rotation as a regular container call for the first time.
2. Zarzis is located approximately 50 kilometers from the Libyan border and is expected to enhance regional connectivity.
3. The revised rotation will be Gioia Tauro-Misurata-Tripoli-Zarzis-Gioia Tauro, with Zarzis included on selected sailings.
4. The update reflects MSC's strategy to strengthen Mediterranean network coverage and access emerging regional trade hubs.
5. Zarzis offers a backup transhipment option to protect cargo flow continuity during disruptions at Misurata and Tripoli.