Jean-Nicoli

A passenger died on board the 'Jean Nicoli' on the night of Nov 19 during the crossing from Algiers to Marseille. The French authorities opened an investigation as soon as the ship arrived in port to determine the exact circumstances of the death. The Algerian national had suffered a cardiac arrest. The ship did not have a doctor on board to handle emergencies. The change of destination to Marseille was due to the detention of the ship by the Algerian maritime authorities on Nov 12. This decision led to several adjustments in Corsica Linea's schedule for sailings from Algerian ports. Upon the arrival of the 'Jean Nicoli' in Marseille on the evening, the maritime gendarmerie opened an investigation into the circumstances of the death during the crossing.

The 'Jean Nicoli' has been detained in the port of Algiers on Nov 12, 2025. The Algerian maritime authorities have not specified the reasons for this detention. As a result, the operator Corsica Linea has modified its sailing schedule. The company has canceled the Sète-Bejaïa voyage scheduled for Nov 13 and the Bejaïa-Marseille crossing on Nov 14. The crossing Marseille-Tunis, initially scheduled for Nov 15, has been postponed to Nov 16 and was to be operated by the ferry 'Vizzavona'. The 'Jean Nicoli' was released again on Nov 17 and proceeded to Marseille.

On Nov 20, 2024, at 9.20 p.m. the 'Jean Nicoli' picked up a group of 19 migrants of Maghredb origin, who were on a boat heading towards Mallorca. The dinghy was spotted by the crew of the ferry at around 9:20 p.m. The ship covers the route between Tunis and Marseille and was around 80 nautical miles south of the Cabrera archipelago at that time. The boat people were then taken to Palma de Mallorca, where the ship arrived on Nov 21.

The 'Jean Nicoli' allided with the oil tanker 'Tolga' (IMO: 9883912) on April 6, 2022, in the Port of Algiers when the Corsica Linéa ferry was manoeuvring to the dock. She hit the moored ship at the port side stern and superstructure. First inspections were carried out by Naftal specialists, in collaboration with a representative of Damen. The competent authorities of the port of Algiers and commercial he competent authorities of the port of Algiers and commercial shipping have opened an investigation to determine the causes and circumstances of the accident. The ferry suffered only slight damage according to first investigations. Report with video: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/video-corsica-ropax-ferry-strikes-docked-product-tanker

On May 17, 2020, the 'Jean Nicoli' left the port of La Goulette in the direction of Marseille with more than 460 passengers on board, all residents in France, who have been blocked for almost two months in Tunisia following the closure of the borders due to the Covid-19 pandemic. They will thus return to French territory with their vehicles. The Embassy thanked Corsica Linea, the Tunisian Navigation Campaign, the Tunisian authorities and the PACA regional prefecture for their support. The ferry was due to arrive in Marseille on May 18 at 1.30 p.m.