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With the 2023/2024 cruise season officially closed in Durban, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) reported a successful season.
The Port of Durban exceeded its planned vessel calls by nearly 50%, surpassing the expected 33 vessels.
TNPA highlighted the successful cruise season, noting that the influx of tourists to the port marked an economic milestone for both TNPA and the eThekwini Municipality.
This achievement underscores Transnet’s potential to boost economic development by “showcasing South Africa’s attractive destinations to cruise tourists”.
The cruise season began in November 2023 with Vasco Da Gama’s maiden voyage to Durban, followed by MSC Splendida, MSC Virtuosa, Queen Mary 2, SH Diana, and Bolette, among other vessels. MSC Cruises noted that it recently concluded its local summer cruise season in South Africa on a “high note”. During the season, MSC Splendida carried nearly 121,000 passengers.
Ross Volk, managing director of MSC Cruises South Africa, announced the anticipated return of the recently refurbished MSC Musica to South African shores for the upcoming season.
A favourite among the local market, the vessel will return in November 2024.
“From 22 November 2024 to 30 March 2025, MSC Musica will be deployed to South African ports for the upcoming 2024/2025 season. The vessel last visited in 2018 and offers more flexibility in accommodating the multiple entertainment options that the South African market prefers. Themed cruises, unique to South Africa, are a major drawcard,” the cruise company said.
MSC Cruises operates four routes from South African ports, with the Durban-to-Mozambique route being the most popular among local tourists. “The current trends are looking positive,” Volk said.
“In fact, South Africans are increasingly seeing cruising as the best value proposition for holidaying because it is an all-inclusive price for a unique experience.”
TNPA also noted that opening the Port of Durban to tourists and local communities aligns strategically with its People’s Ports concept. This initiative reflects TNPA’s commitment to integrating the port with the city and its communities, providing access to leisure activities while adhering to the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
“The cruise season is one that we look forward to as the Port of Durban because it allows us to showcase our port as a ‘People’s Port’ and provide a scenic gateway to tourism in KwaZulu-Natal,” said Nkumbuzi Ben-Mazwi, TNPA acting port manager at the Port of Durban.
“We pride ourselves in always providing reliable and efficient infrastructure that can handle passenger vessels of any size,” he said.
Good for the economy
MSC Cruises says the successful 2023/2024 local cruise season and the anticipated growth for the 2024/2025 season are positive not only for cruise companies but also for the South African economy. In 2023, tourism accounted for approximately 3.7% of the country’s GDP and employed 4.7% of the workforce. Overall, the Department of Tourism reports that the sector contributes R287 billion to the economy.
“Providing goods and services to the cruising market is one huge job creator, but the quest for deeper experiences that reflect local cultures also opens up vast new opportunities for individuals and communities,” says Volk.
“The expected growth in cruising numbers has the potential to shift the dial on our stubborn unemployment figures by providing entrepreneurs with greater scope,” he concluded.
This article first appeared in Moneyweb and is republished with permission.
