The MSC Orchestra was ushered onto the quayside at Durban’s port M berth on Saturday 16 November as traditional dancers and a marimba band entertained over 3,000 disembarking European and South African passengers.
Her Durban call ended a 29-night itinerary from Genoa in Italy and prior to Durban, she had called in at Reunion. The ship docked in Durban to coincide with the breaking of ground on the construction of Durban’s new R200 million cruise ship terminal. The ‘energy-efficient’ terminal will boast a host of new features and facilities, with a retail component, as well as multi-purpose training, conferencing and events facilities.
General Manager of the Port of Durban, Moshe Motlohi, said the port’s cruise sector developments reflected growing confidence in Durban as a cruise prospect.
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Motlohi said the new terminal development dovetails with the City of Durban’s new beachfront promenade extension from uShaka beach southwards to the harbour entrance, as well as the future development of Durban Point Waterfront.
Transnet plans to commence construction on its own section of the promenade in Quarter 3 of 2020 which will connect to the new cruise terminal, allowing cruise passengers direct access and connections to the central beachfront with relative ease and safety.
‘This is going to change the face of Durban,’ said Motlohi. ‘The cruise industry is the fastest-growing category in the leisure travel market, and TNPA’s decision to build a dedicated cruise terminal in the port is well supported,’ he added.
Images: supplied
