Corsica – Maritime Traffic Holds Growth in November 2025

By 2026 Newsletter week 07

Passenger Traffic (Ferry Only – Excluding Cruise)

In November 2025, Corsica recorded:

  • 100,300 ferry passengers
  • +2.1% year-on-year

Growth remains modest but positive in the shoulder season. The 24-month trend shows the usual strong summer peak and stable winter base, confirming structural seasonality rather than volatility.

Port Distribution (November 2025)

Passenger market share by port:

  • Bastia: 49,000 passengers (50%)
  • Ajaccio: 30,000 (30%)
  • L’Île-Rousse: 5,000 (5%)
  • Bonifacio: 5,000 (5%)
  • Porto-Vecchio: 4,000 (4%)
  • Propriano: 3,000 (6%)

Bastia remains the dominant gateway, handling half of all ferry passengers in November.

Operator Market Share (November 2025)

  • Corsica Ferries: 56,000 passengers (56%)
  • Corsica Linea: 27,000 (28%)
  • La Méridionale: 10,000 (10%)
  • Moby Lines: 6,000 (6%)
  • Ichnusa Lines: marginal

Corsica Ferries maintains clear leadership, with more than double the volume of its nearest competitor.

Three Reasons Behind Last Week’s Corsica Maritime Transport Strike

By 2026 Newsletter week 07

Unions at La Méridionale and Corsica Linea cite three core issues behind the early February strike:

  1. Fierce Competition on Maghreb Routes

The Maghreb market represents up to 35–40% of turnover and an even higher share of profits. Competition has intensified, notably from Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), part of MSC, which secured a strong position in Sète–Algeria services in 2025

  1. Higher-Cost French Flag

The two operators (La Méridionale & Corsica Linea) sail under stricter and more costly French social, safety and environmental rules than GNV’s Italian international flag. Talks with the French Transport Ministry are ongoing, with an eight-week working timeline agreed

  1. EU Carbon Costs (ETS)

The EU ETS regime adds further cost pressure. Greece secured exemptions for its islands; Corsica has not

Source: France 3 Corse ViaStella (in French)