The Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal in Durban has officially opened, marking a significant milestone ahead of South Africa’s upcoming 2023-24 cruise season. MSC Cruises, in collaboration with the African Armada Consortium and Transnet National Ports Authority, spearheaded the creation. With a substantial area of 6,000 square meters and the ability to accommodate 4,000 passengers daily, the terminal will be managed by KwaZulu Cruise Terminal Limited.
During the inauguration, notable figures such as Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises, President Cyril Ramaphosa, and His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, among others, were in attendance. Vago expressed gratitude for naming the terminal after Nelson Mandela, emphasizing Mandela’s inspirational legacy globally.
MSC Cruises, present in South Africa since the early 1990s, has facilitated thousands of passengers in exploring the beauty of the KwaZulu-Natal Province.
Construction cost for the Durban Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal
The new Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal had a funding of $16 million and it aims to provide access to passengers from over 100 nationalities, offering unique experiences on board and visits to destinations like Portuguese Island and Pomene in Mozambique.
The project, conceived as a public-private partnership a decade ago, represents a pioneering effort for the east coast of South Africa. This infrastructure, developed in collaboration with a black empowerment partner, supports the expansion of cruise tourism in South Africa. The terminal’s opening is anticipated to be well-received by cruise companies worldwide.
Ross Volk, managing director of MSC Cruises South Africa, affirmed the company’s commitment to boosting the country’s tourism industry and creating employment opportunities. The positive economic impact is expected to unfold with the start of the local cruise season and the arrival of MSC Splendida, the largest and most modern ship in MSC Cruises’ South African fleet.
Read also Transnet to Invite Bids for Construction of LNG Terminal at Richards Bay, South Africa
