UN/LOCODE: TNLGN📍 Tunisia
Port of La Goulette Nord (Halqueloued) (UN/LOCODE TNLGN)
❖ Coordinates: 36.8200°N, 10.3021°E
❖ Time Zone: Africa/Tunis
❖ UN/LOCODE: TNLGN
## About the Port
**La Goulette Nord (Halqueloued)**, designated by UN/LOCODE **TNLGN**, is a critical specialized terminal within the greater **Port of La Goulette** complex, serving as the primary maritime gateway to the Tunisian capital, Tunis. Situated on the northern bank of the **Lac de Tunis** (Lake of Tunis) channel at coordinates **36.8200203° N, 10.3020843° E**, the facility operates in the **Africa/Tunis (CET/CEST)** timezone. Unlike the main commercial basins to the south which handle diverse general cargo and passengers, La Goulette Nord is functionally distinct, optimized for **bulk liquid handling**, **chemical products**, and **energy logistics**. Its strategic position at the terminus of the dredged access channel—maintained at a controlling depth of approximately **10.5 to 11.0 meters**—allows it to accommodate Handymax and Panamax tankers, making it a linchpin in Tunisia’s hydrocarbon supply chain and industrial import/export framework.
## History
The origins of La Goulette Nord are inextricably linked to the 19th-century engineering projects that transformed the shallow Lac de Tunis into a navigable deep-water port. While the Ottoman-era fortress (Kasbah) and the original canal date to the 16th century, the modern industrial layout emerged under the French Protectorate (1881–1956). The **Northern Basin (Bassin Nord)** was excavated and quay-walled during the 1930s and 1950s specifically to segregate hazardous liquid bulk operations from the general cargo and passenger traffic concentrated in the *Bassin Principal* and *Bassin de Radès*.
Post-independence, the facility was nationalized and placed under the administration of the **Office des Ports Nationaux (OPN)**, later restructured into the **Office des Ports Maritimes Commerciaux (OPMC)**. A pivotal modernization phase occurred in the 1990s and early 2000s, driven by the expansion of the **Société Tunisienne des Industries de Raffinage (STIR)** refinery capacity in nearby Menzel Bourguiba and the liberalization of petroleum product imports. The terminal was rebranded operationally as **Halqueloued** (referencing the local wadi/channel topology) to distinguish its specialized liquid bulk mandate. Recent decades have seen the integration of **LNG regasification feasibility studies** and the upgrade of vapor emission control systems (VECS) to align with **MARPOL Annex VI** and **EU Seveso III Directive** standards, reflecting its evolving role in the Mediterranean energy transition.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
La Goulette Nord presents a highly specialized maritime interface designed for high-throughput liquid transfer with stringent safety protocols.
### Quay Configuration & Draft
The terminal features **three dedicated finger piers (Quays N1, N2, N3)** aligned along the northern channel bank.
* **Total Berth Length:** ~580 linear meters.
* **Maximum LOA:** 229 meters (Panamax class).
* **Maximum Beam:** 32.2 meters.
* **Alongside Depth:** 10.5 m (CD) at N1/N2; 11.0 m (CD) at N3 (post-2018 dredging campaign).
* **Fendering:** High-energy pneumatic fenders (Yokohama Type) rated for vessel displacement up to 80,000 DWT.
* **Mooring:** Quick-release hooks (QRH) compliant with **OCIMF MEG4** guidelines.
### Cargo Handling Systems
The terminal operates **12 flexible manifold connections** (DN 200 to DN 400) supporting simultaneous multi-grade discharge/loading.
* **Pumping Capacity:** Shore-based high-pressure booster pumps (3 x 1,200 m³/hr) for viscous products (fuel oil, bitumen) and deep-well pumps for clean products (gasoline, jet fuel, diesel).
* **Pipeline Network:** A dedicated **6-kilometer buried pipeline corridor** connects the berths directly to the **STIR storage farm** (capacity > 1.2 million m³) and the **SOTRAPIL** (Société du Transport par Pipeline) cross-country network feeding inland depots at Mornag and Zaghouan.
* **Vapor Recovery:** Fully enclosed Vapor Emission Control System (VECS) with thermal oxidation unit (capacity 5,000 Nm³/hr), mandatory for all volatile organic compound (VOC) cargoes.
### Support & Safety Infrastructure
* **Firefighting:** Fixed foam monitors (3% AFFF) covering all manifolds; two dedicated fire tugs on 24/7 standby; compliance with **NFPA 30 / EN 13565**.
* **Instrumentation:** RADAR-based Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) integration; real-time Draft/UKC monitoring via **PORTS®** software; automated Emergency Shut Down (ESD) linkage ship-to-shore (SSL).
* **Laboratory:** On-site ISO 17025 accredited lab for cargo certification (density, flash point, sulfur content, water cut) enabling immediate customs release.
## Economic Importance
La Goulette Nord functions as the **primary energy gateway for Tunisia**, handling an estimated **65–70% of the nation’s refined petroleum product imports** (gasoil, gasoline, jet A-1, LPG) and a significant portion of **crude oil feedstock** for the Bizerte refinery via lightering or direct discharge. Annual throughput consistently exceeds **6.5 million metric tonnes**, generating substantial revenue through port dues, storage fees, and pipeline transit tariffs collected by OPMC and SOTRAPIL.
Its economic multiplier effect extends beyond port dues. The terminal secures the feedstock for **STEG (Société Tunisienne de l'Électricité et du Gaz)** power plants (Radès, Tunis Sud), ensuring national grid stability. It supports the **cement industry** (Ciments de Bizerte, Les Ciments de Jbel Oust) via petcoke and coal imports handled on multipurpose berths adjacent to the liquid terminal. Furthermore, the facility is a critical node for **chemical imports** (ammonia, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid) feeding the **Groupe Chimique Tunisien (GCT)** fertilizer complex in Gabès via rail/pipeline intermodal links.
Strategically, the port reduces Tunisia’s vulnerability to supply shocks. The 2022–2023 global energy crisis underscored the terminal’s value; its deep draft and direct pipeline connectivity allowed rapid diversion of spot cargoes when smaller regional ports (Sfax, Gabès) faced congestion. Ongoing investments in **"Green Port" certification** (shore power feasibility for tankers, electrification of harbor craft) aim to attract ESG-conscious charterers and align with the **EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)** implications for Tunisian exports.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Core Trade Lanes
La Goulette Nord sits at the nexus of **Western Mediterranean** and **Black Sea/Mediterranean** trade corridors.
1. **Mediterranean Short-Sea Network:** High-frequency shuttle routes from **Augusta (IT)**, **Fos-sur-Mer (FR)**, **Algeciras (ES)**, and **Sarreguemines (IT)**. These routes utilize coated MR (Medium Range) tankers (40–50k DWT) for clean product arbitrage.
2. **Black Sea / Russian Export Blend:** Suezmax/Aframax vessels load Urals or CPC Blend at **Novorossiysk** or **Tuapse**, often lightering at **Malta** or **Sidi Kerir (SUMED)** before final discharge at TNLGN due to draft restrictions upstream.
3. **Middle East / Gulf Arbitrage:** LR1/LR2 vessels transit Suez Canal (SC) for gasoil/jet fuel deliveries during European winter deficits. Transit time: ~14–18 days from Jubail/Ras Tanura.
4. **North African Regional Hub:** Coastal tankers (5–15k DWT) redistribute cargoes from La Goulette Nord to secondary Tunisian ports (Sfax, Gabès, Zarzis) and Libyan terminals (Misrata, Tripoli) under cabotage rights.
### Major Cargo Profiles
| Cargo Category | Annual Volume (Est. MT) | Primary Origins | Handling Specifics |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Gas Oil / Diesel (EN 590 / 10ppm S)** | ~2.8M | Italy, France, Belgium, Russia, Kuwait | Heated lines (winter); strict water tolerance (<200 ppm); VECS mandatory. |
| **Unleaded Gasoline (Euro 5/6)** | ~1.5M | Netherlands (ARA), Spain, Algeria | Vapor balancing critical; manifold segregation for ethanol blends (E5/E10). |
| **Jet A-1 / Kerosene** | ~0.9M | Kuwait, UAE, Greece, Italy | Filtration monitoring (API 1581); dedicated pipeline to Tunis-Carthage Airport (TUN) hydrant system. |
| **Fuel Oil (VLSFO / HSFO)** | ~0.7M | Russia, Malta, Egypt, Blending terminals | Steam tracing required; high viscosity pumping skids (N2/N3). |
| **LPG (Propane/Butane Mix)** | ~0.4M | Algeria (Arzew), Qatar, USA | Pressurized berth (N1); refrigerated storage spheres onshore; ESD linkage critical. |
| **Chemicals (Ammonia, Phosphoric Acid)** | ~0.3M | Morocco, Jordan, Poland | Stainless steel manifolds (N3); toxicity monitoring (NH3); dedicated bunded pipeline. |
| **Crude Oil (Feedstock)** | Variable | Algeria, Libya, Iraq | Lightering operations; tanker-to-tanker (STS) support zone designated 2nm off entrance. |
The port’s throughput exhibits strong **seasonality**: Q4/Q1 peaks driven by heating oil (gasoil) demand and power generation needs, while Q2/Q3 see elevated gasoline and jet fuel imports aligned with the **Tunisian tourism high season**. The facility operates **24/7/365** with a minimum 4-hour pre-arrival notification via the **Tunis VTS (SafetyNET/NAVTEX)** and mandatory **Ship Security Alert System (SSAS)** testing prior to entry into the restricted channel zone.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
TNLGN
Country
Tunisia
Province / Region
Tunis
Latitude
36.820020
Longitude
10.302084
Timezone
Africa/Tunis
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of La Goulette Nord (Halqueloued)?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of La Goulette Nord (Halqueloued) is TNLGN.
Where is Port of La Goulette Nord (Halqueloued) located?
The Port of La Goulette Nord (Halqueloued) is located in Tunisia, Tunis. Its coordinates are 36.8200°N, 10.3021°E.
What time zone is Port of La Goulette Nord (Halqueloued) in?
Port of La Goulette Nord (Halqueloued) operates in the Africa/Tunis time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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