Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Tassili-Ii

The ferry 'Tassili II' has successfully resumed its voyage after being held for a month at the port of Marseille. On November 13, the vessel departed en route to Algiers, with an expected time of arrival on November 14. The release followed the lifting of a detention order that had kept the ferry anchored at berth 12 of the port's international maritime terminal since October 13. This detention was initiated by the ship security center of the Interregional Directorate of the Mediterranean Sea (DIRM Med), as part of inspections under the Paris Memorandum of Understanding. Details regarding the deficiencies that prompted the detention have not been disclosed. After a month of scrutiny, the Marseille port authorities determined that the necessary corrections were made, allowing the 'Tassili II' to set sail once more. It's worth noting that this ferry had faced similar issues in the past, having been detained for one day on July 31 in Marseille due to 26 cited deficiencies. Additionally, on February 28, an inspection in the port of Alicante revealed 11 deficiencies, yet the vessel was not detained at that time.

The maritime industry faces renewed scrutiny as the 'Tassili II' has been detained once more at berth 12 of the International Maritime Terminal in Marseille, effective October 14, 2025. This action was mandated by the Vessel Security Center under the Interregional Directorate for the Mediterranean Sea (Dirm Med), in line with the Port State Control measures of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Details regarding specific deficiencies that prompted this latest detention have yet to be disclosed. It's worth noting that this isn't the first time the 'Tassili II' has faced such regulatory challenges; it was previously detained in Marseille on July 31, 2024, due to 26 identified deficiencies and was held for one day. Earlier, on February 28, 2025, the vessel was examined at the Port of Alicante, where inspectors noted 11 deficiencies—none of which were deemed detainable. As it stands, the 'Tassili II' is anticipated to resume its journey, with a planned crossing from Marseille to Oran set for October 18 at noon.

In a precautionary measure, the ferry 'Tassili II' and its crew of 97 have been placed under quarantine in Bizerte. The vessel, which originated from Marseille, was permitted to dock in Bizerte on March 11 after being anchored near the Bizerte canal since March 10. Initial coronavirus tests on the crew returned negative, indicating no symptoms of the virus. The ferry was scheduled for maintenance and repair at the Tunisian Mechanical Repair Company located in Menzel Bourguiba on the same day. Throughout the quarantine period, which will last for 14 days from the date of docking, the entire crew must remain on board without any interactions with the repair company employees.

On September 27, 2019, the 'Tassili II,' carrying 800 passengers, experienced significant water ingress in its engine control room. This unforeseen incident led the crew to delay the vessel's scheduled departure from the Port of Oran, Algeria, to Alicante, Spain. The problem was detected just moments before departure by a technician from Algeria Ferries, causing a wave of panic among those on board. Eventually, the shipping company confirmed that 'Tassili II' would set sail at 9 a.m. on the same day. However, the incident left many passengers anxious, resulting in several choosing not to embark on the journey.

The fallout from the September 1 allision involving the "Tassili II" and the "Han Xin" in Oran has led to significant disciplinary action. Following an investigation, the commission of inquiry has implemented sanctions against key individuals responsible for the incident. As of September 7, the captain of the ferry, alongside two crew members, has been suspended, joining the recently dismissed CEO of the port infrastructure. Meanwhile, public scrutiny has intensified regarding the decision to address the vessel's damage with a welded metal plate. Despite the criticism, Karim Bouzned, the commercial director of ENTMV, has defended the repair method, asserting that it poses no safety hazards.