“Giant” ship to transport pilgrims to holy places

The National Enterprise for Maritime Transport announced that an international call for tender will be launched to manufacture a « giant » ship for pilgrimage trips.

The ship capacity would reach 1,600 passengers and 500 vehicles.

Its CEO Lahcene Guouraya said the call for tender will be launched as part of the development and expansion of maritime transport abroad.

Speaking about a delay in the achievement of a maritime line between Algeria and Saudi Arabia, he said the enterprises does not have ships to travel for long distances.

Asked about a new line between the province of Mostaghanem and Valencia, he said the Mostaghanem Port will be provided with other lines abroad including a line with Marseille.

Passengers and Algerians living abroad showed satisfaction over the first experiment trip of the new line between Mostaghanem and Valencia. It was launched on Sunday and lasted for about ten hours. The line will be definitively opened in Summer.

Ticket price for passengers from Algeria was fixed at 21,000 DZ while foreigners have to pay 214 euros and 278 euros if they bring a car.