GNV, the ferry company owned by the MSC group, is opening a third route to Algeria: a direct ro-pax service between the port of Civitavecchia and Annaba, adding to the routes already operating from Sète, in France, to Algiers and Bejaia. The new line will operate during the summer season from Saturday 8 August 2026, with two weekly rotations, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, served by the vessel Cristal. On-board services will be tailored to the North African market, including halal cuisine, a dedicated prayer room and areas for travelling families. In Algeria, GNV operates in partnership with Aflt Maritime, the company’s official general agent and partner for the management and support of maritime routes between the country and Europe.
Annaba’s geographical position enables GNV to serve not only the Algerian market but also a wider area of the eastern Maghreb through overland connections, expanding the catchment area that can be reached through a single maritime link. The port therefore becomes a reference point for passenger and freight flows across the region. GNV chief executive Matteo Catani said that “with the opening of the Civitavecchia-Annaba route, we are continuing the growth path launched in Algeria last year, a market that has confirmed itself in line with our expectations in terms of passenger and freight traffic. We have decided to strengthen our commitment with a new direct service because we believe in the long-term potential of this country, and we will continue to invest in fleet, frequencies and dedicated services to respond increasingly precisely to the needs of the North African market”.
