Durban Cruise Terminal

The Durban Cruise Terminal is a new cruise ship terminal constructed in the South African city of Durban.[1]

Durban Cruise Terminal
Durban Cruise Terminal is located in South Africa
Durban Cruise Terminal
Location within South Africa
Former namesN-Shed Passenger Terminal
General information
Town or cityPoint Waterfront, Durban
Country South Africa
Coordinates29.8668°S 31.0246°E / -29.8668; 31.0246
Construction startedMay 2018
CompletedNovember 2021
InauguratedDecember 2021
CostUS$15 Million+ (R200 Million+)
OwnerKwa Zulu Cruise Terminals
Technical details
Structural systemCruise Terminal
Design and construction
Main contractorKwa Zulu Cruise Terminals

Work on the terminal began in November 2019.[1][2] The terminal was expected to be completed in 2020,[3] however, due to the COVID-19 restrictions in South Africa, was only completed in 2021.[4] MSC Orchestra was the first cruise ship to sail from the new terminal.[5]

Business structure

After two unsuccessful bids, Kwa Zulu Cruise Terminals (KCT) – a joint venture between MSC Cruises SA and Africa Armada Consortium – won the bid in May 2017.[6]

The winning bidders have a 25-year concession on the site.[7]

MSC Opera (Lirica Class) will homeport in Cape Town and MSC Musica (Musica Class) in Durban. This will mark the first time that two different classes of MSC Cruises’ ships will be deployed in South Africa simultaneously.[8]

The construction project

The project will cost an estimated R200 million and the building will measure 4,500sqm.[1]

The terminal will include:

  • A customs office
  • Parking spaces for 200 vehicles including up to 12 buses
  • A retail area
  • Multipurpose training, conferencing and events facilities
  • Separate screening and temporary holding areas
  • A Police Station
  • Various government offices [9][1]

During the COVID-19 pandemic

In February 2021, due to lockdown rules imposed during the Coronavirus pandemic, MSC cancelled its South African sailing season. Passengers with tickets booked were offered vouchers for the next sailing season.[10] The ships were scheduled to set sail again in November 2021 at the earliest.[11]

References
  1. "New Durban Cruise Terminal Closer to Reality". Maritime Logistics Professional. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  2. "MSC Cruises begins construction of Durban cruise terminal". CruiseandFerry.net. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  3. Majola, Given. "Durban's new R200m Cruise Terminal to boost tourism". IOL Business Report. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  4. "Keep calm and cruise on, SA — but only if you're vaccinated". Times LIVE. 6 December 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  5. "MSC Cruises to Lead Restart of South Africa's Passenger Cruise Sector on 6 December". MSC Press Area. 22 October 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  6. "R200-million cruise terminal upgrade for Durban". 2 June 2017.
  7. Mthethwa, Bongani (30 May 2017). "Durban set for R100-million cruise terminal upgrade". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  8. "Construction of new Durban cruise terminal "will substantially boost tourism numbers"". The Moodie Davitt Report. 25 November 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  9. le Guern, Shirley (30 May 2017). "Preferred bidder for R215m Durban cruise terminal finally selected". www.engineeringnews.co.za.
  10. "MSC local cruise season cancelled". Travel News. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  11. "Giant cruise ship operator MSC has given up on South Africa until at least November". BusinessInsider. Retrieved 22 June 2021.


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