Metal boats are increasingly used by migrants departing from Tunisia to cross the central Mediterranean. Often assembled from thin iron sheets, these vessels are unstable and highly risky, especially when overloaded.
Growing Use Amid Fewer Alternatives
Since 2022, security crackdowns on traditional boatyards have limited access to wooden boats. In response, migrants have turned to metal boats, which are cheaper and easier to build despite their poor safety record. According to a 2023 report by Frontex, nearly 70% of all crossings from Tunisia now involve these makeshift crafts.
A local NGO worker in Sfax described these boats as “floating coffins,” highlighting their tendency to disintegrate in high waves. “They are not built for the sea. Just a spark or a hard wave and it’s over,” he added.
Safety Risks and Policy Impact
Observers and European agencies have warned that these boats are frequently involved in sinkings. Their fragility not only endangers those onboard but also complicates rescue operations. In one incident off Kerkennah in late 2023, rescuers reported that a metal boat began breaking apart even before assistance arrived.
Most migrants departing from Sfax are Sub-Saharan Africans facing poverty, xenophobic violence, and restrictive migration policies. A UNHCR representative noted that “people are not migrating because they want to, but because they have no other option.”
Experts argue that increasingly repressive anti-smuggling efforts, while aiming to deter departures, are instead pushing migrants toward more dangerous routes. They call for policies that prioritize migrant safety and expand legal migration pathways to reduce reliance on unsafe vessels.
