Operator
La Meridionale
The French operator between Marseille and Morocco - crossing the Mediterranean to Tanger Med aboard the Massalia
- One Morocco route - Marseille - Tanger Med in around 40 hours, seasonal until mid-September
- Based in Marseille since 1931, part of the CMA CGM Group since 2023 - four ships, around 600 staff
- Cabins, self-service restaurant, prayer room and Wi-Fi on board - pets are not allowed on the Tanger route
About La Méridionale
Table of Contents
About La Méridionale
La Méridionale is a French ferry operator based in Marseille. It was founded in 1931 as Compagnie Méridionale de Navigation (CMN) by brothers Henri and Félix Rastit; it took its current name in 1998. Since 31 May 2023, La Méridionale has been part of the CMA CGM Group, the Marseille-based shipping and logistics company, sitting within its specialist shipping division. Around 600 staff on land and at sea carry close to 280,000 passengers a year.
Its core business is the daily freight and passenger service between Marseille and Corsica (Ajaccio, Porto-Vecchio) under the public service contract that connects the island. Since 2020, the operator has also run a service to Morocco - a useful option if you're already familiar with La Méridionale's Corsica routes.
Ships and fleet
The fleet comprises four RoPax ferries: Girolata, Piana, Kalliste and the Massalia. The Massalia has served the Morocco line since June 2025 - built in 1992, 161 metres long, with room for around 1,700 passengers and 492 vehicles, 217 cabins and 216 reclining seats. On board there's a self-service restaurant and a snack bar, a lounge bar, Wi-Fi, a prayer room, a children's play area and a number of accessible cabins. Girolata and Piana previously served the Tanger Med route.
Route to Morocco
La Méridionale runs a single Morocco link: Marseille - Tanger Med. The crossing takes around 40 hours and runs continuously, so you spend two nights on board. The operator lists up to four departures a week in its summer programme; the line is seasonal, and for 2026 La Méridionale has announced it will pause from 15 September. The timetable shows the available dates.
Check-in, vehicles and pets
In Marseille, the Morocco ferries depart from the Grand Port Maritime; the operator publishes access maps for Marseille and Tanger Med, and the binding check-in times appear on your ticket. You need a valid passport for Morocco, and for customs formalities with a vehicle, La Méridionale recommends completing them before departure.
Cars, vans, motorbikes, scooters, quad bikes and vehicle-trailer combinations can travel, as can motorhomes, bicycles and e-bikes; trailers, roof boxes and additional loads must be declared at booking. Electric vehicles need a charge level between 20 and 80 percent, and charging on board is not allowed. LPG-powered vehicles need a safety valve, and motorhomes may carry at most three gas cylinders totalling 47 kilograms. Commercial vehicles travel with freight papers rather than a passenger ticket. On the Marseille - Tanger Med route, carrying pets of any kind is forbidden; only guide and assistance dogs may stay with their owner.
Tickets
La Méridionale sells tickets online and through its customer centre. Fares depend on season, cabin and vehicle and are calculated at booking; the fare overview gives a general idea, and the timetable shows the sailings.
FAQ La Méridionale
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and answers about La Méridionale and the Marseille - Tanger Med ferry
Which route does La Méridionale run to Morocco?+
La Méridionale runs a single Morocco link: Marseille - Tanger Med, around 40 hours across the Mediterranean. The line is seasonal - for 2026 the operator has announced it will pause from 15 September; available sailings are shown in the timetable.
Who is La Méridionale?+
La Méridionale was founded in 1931 as Compagnie Méridionale de Navigation by brothers Henri and Félix Rastit, is based in Marseille and has been part of the CMA CGM Group since 31 May 2023. Around 600 staff on land and at sea carry close to 280,000 passengers a year.
Which ships does La Méridionale use?+
The fleet consists of four RoPax ferries: Girolata, Piana, Kalliste and the Massalia, which joined in 2025. The Massalia has served Marseille - Tanger Med since June 2025; she is 161 metres long, carries around 1,700 passengers and 492 vehicles, and has 217 cabins.
Can I bring my car or motorhome?+
Yes - cars, vans, motorbikes, scooters, quad bikes and motorhomes can travel, as can bicycles and e-bikes. For electric vehicles the operator requires a charge level between 20 and 80 percent, and charging on board is not allowed; motorhomes may carry at most three gas cylinders totalling 47 kilograms.
Can my pet come on board?+
No. On the Marseille - Tanger Med route, carrying pets of any kind is expressly forbidden; only guide and assistance dogs may stay with their owner. If you want to travel to Morocco with a pet, choose a different operator.