South Africa’s cruise infrastructure projects to remain paused under Level 4 lockdown

Various projects to upgrade South Africa’s cruise infrastructure will remain paused under Level 4 lockdown, according to a media statement from Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA).

“Construction work on current infrastructure projects within South Africa’s ports will not resume under Level 4 of the country’s COVID-19 lockdown according to the latest list provided by Government,” the TNPA said in a statement.

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While there has been no indication of when the lockdown on general construction will be lifted, South African port landlord Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) said it will communicate updates as amendments to relevant government regulations are issued.

South Africa entered a Level 4 lockdown on April 30th. There are 5 alert levels, with Level 5 being the strictest, with significantly reduced economic activity. Level 1 would see sit-down restaurants and sporting facilities being reopened.

The government’s Level 4 regulations refer to reactivation only of the following construction activities:

Civil engineering for public works projects (including water, energy and sanitation),

Public works civil engineering and construction works,

Road and bridge projects, including local road repairs, and

Critical maintenance and repairs.

South Africa closed its ports to all cruise ships in March when the Coronavirus pandemic began to impact the global economy and prompted a worldwide shutdown of the cruise industry.

Before Coronavirus brought the cruise sector to its knees, South Africa had a range of infrastructure projects underway to boost the country’s appeal as a cruise destination, most notably in Durban, where a new waterfront is being developed, along with a new cruise terminal.

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It’s unclear how the economic crisis brought about by the Coronavirus and the national lockdown will affect these plans in the long-term.

Ground-breaking on the new Durban Cruise Terminal was carried out in November last year, while the Waterfront redevelopment project is well underway.

And while cruise lines remain out of operation globally, there are signs that South Africa’s cruise sector will see a strong rebound.

Following on the heels of the largest-ever cruise season out of Durban and Cape Town last year, with two new cruise lines joining MSC Cruises in homeporting in the country, Norwegian Cruise Line has now announced that they are joining in as well.

Norwegian Jade will cruise roundtrip from Cape Town on 12-night voyages visiting various South African cities, as well as Namibia.