For decades, residents of Téboulba, just south of Tunis in Monastir Governorate, have mastered the art of shipbuilding. Some 8,000 square meters worth of shipyards have been the main source of livelihood (including fishing) in this poor area.

Fuad Naqbi, a 40-year-old shipyard owner, says shipbuilding witnessed a boom ages ago where Téboulba contributed to the construction of part of the Tunisian marine fleet and helped boost exports. Today, however, he says, is a different story.

For decades, residents of Téboulba, just south of Tunis in Monastir Governorate, have mastered the art of shipbuilding. Some 8,000 square meters worth of shipyards have been the main source of livelihood (including fishing) in this poor area.

Fuad Naqbi, a 40-year-old shipyard owner, says shipbuilding witnessed a boom ages ago where Téboulba contributed to the construction of part of the Tunisian marine fleet and helped boost exports. Today, however, he says, is a different story.

Shipbuilding in Téboulba has been for years seeing noticeably declined production due to accumulated difficulties, including small shipyards, skyrocketing prices of raw materials and taxes.

In addition to the small area alloted for shipyards, which does not allow for the construction of all types of ships, the 2016 Finance Law imposed new taxes of up to 18 percent on every purchased Tunisian ship.

Naqbi argues that the law deepens shipbuilding vulnerability because it also exempts ship imports from all customs duties. “This law will end our careers,” he says.

Saleh Azaz, another shipyard owner, concurs with Naqbi. Since the revolution, he says, shipbuilding has been suffering from acute depression because the cost of materials such as wood, nails, etc., have tripled.

As a result, Azaz was forced to cut down on production because this sector “is sensitive and one cannot reduce the costs of shipbuilding equipment because it is directly connected to safety,” he says.

A low supply of labour is another major obstacle where many young people refuse to train in this profession because it is arduous and offers little in terms of safety and social protection.

“A shipbuilding worker is the weakest link, while the only beneficiary is the owner of the project,” says Adel Bin Khalifa who has been working as a nailer for over 20 years.

Samir Khalafallah has been a shipbuilding worker for 30 years. He once underwent hand surgery due to a work injury and claims that workers are exploited. “Our work conditions are dire,” he says. “We work for over 12 hours a day under the scorching sun amid several occupatinal hazards with no safety or social protection.”