The new cruise terminal in Durban, developed by MSC Cruises as its annual winter homeport has been officially opened and re-named as the Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The official opening of the new cruise terminal, named after South Africa’s first democratically elected president, coincided with the arrival of MSC Splendida in Durban for the first time.

MSC Splendida’s maiden arrival in Durban also heralds the start of the new 2023/24 cruise season, as she will spend the next four months cruising roundtrip from Durban to destinations on the African coast, including Mozambique Island and Pomene Bay.

The R300 million cruise terminal was funded by MSC Cruises in partnership with the African Armada Consortium and Transnet National Ports Authority, with the design created locally, while the majority of materials were also locally sourced.

“The launch of the Nelson Mandela MSC Cruise Terminal is more than a milestone,” said President Ramaphosa. “It’s much bigger than just launching a terminal… it’s an important step in positioning the city of Durban as a premier cruise destination, alongside the finest in the world.” 

“The latest cruise season injected an estimated R1.2 billion into the economy of the Western Cape alone and we want to see bigger numbers for here in KwaZulu-Natal. This terminal will play an important part in doing so,” he added.

The 6,000 square-meter cruise terminal can handle 4,000 passengers a day and will be operated by KwaZulu Cruise Terminal Limited.

Although it will primarily be used by MSC Cruises, which is the only cruise line that homeports annually in Durban, it will also be available to cruise ships calling in Durban on itineraries out of Cape Town and elsewhere.

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises and Chairman of KwaZulu Cruise Terminal, along with His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, and government ministers, port officials and leaders from South Africa’s main travel agencies joined President Cyril Ramaphosa at the event.

“Nelson Mandela was an incredible statesman and leader who continues to inspire progress around the world and we are honored that the Nelson Mandela Foundation allowed us to use his name for what is the gateway to the Zulu Kingdom,” said Vago.

“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,” he added.

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