New Nelson Mandela cruise terminal inaugurated in Durban

The US$16 million facility was launched ahead of South Africa’s 2023-24 cruise season 

The Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal in South Africa’s main port of Durban has been officially inaugurated by the country’s president Cyril Ramaphosa. 

The building was devised and funded by MSC Cruises and its black economic empowerment partner African Armada Consortium together with Transnet National Ports Authority. 

The partnership represents the first public-private partnership in South Africa’s cruise industry.  

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The 6,000-square-metre energy-efficient cruise terminal has the capacity to handle 4,000 passengers a day, and the project created 10,000 construction jobs that were primarily sourced locally in Durban.  

MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said: “MSC Cruises arrived in South Africa in the early 1990s and since then, thousands of cruise guests have discovered the beauty of the KwaZulu-Natal Province and beyond.  

"The new Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal in Durban will give access to passengers from more than 100 nationalities to enjoy the unique experience we offer on board and visits to the beautiful destinations we have developed at Portuguese Island and Pomene in Mozambique.”    

In in 2019, MSC Group set up the Shosholoza Academy in South Africa to educate young people and train them in hospitality skills used on board MSC Cruises’ fleet of 22 ships.  The academy will see 5,000 new crew members join MSC Cruises’ vessels in the months ahead.

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MSC Cruises South Africa managing director Ross Volk said: “We are fully committed to help drive the country’s tourism industry and create employment opportunities along the way which has and will continue to have a positive economic impact on the nation.  

"This will be typified later this week with the start of the local cruise season and the arrival of MSC Splendida, MSC Cruises’ largest and most modern ship to serve the South African market.”

For more information, visit www.msccruises.com