The Vasco da Gama cruise ship
Photo by: Nicko Cruises
The arrival of cruise ship the Vasco da Gama at the Port of Port Elizabeth marked the start of the 2023/24 cruise season in Gqeberha, and the city expects to welcome to its shores 37 560 passengers onboard 28 cruise liners during the season, said State-owned Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) Port of Port Elizabeth harbour master Captain Brynn Adamson.
“Cruise tourism remains one of the important pillars through which the Port of Port Elizabeth grows the economy, and the city has seen a steady increase in cruise ship arrivals post the Covid-19 pandemic.”
TNPA has ensured sufficient provision of marine services, including pilotage, berth availability and berthing crews to ensure safe navigation of passenger vessel call-ins to South Africa's commercial seaports, he added.
“The Nelson Mandela Metro is adequately prepared to host the cruise liner vessels. Further, stakeholders are undertaking joint marketing initiatives to grow a thriving and competitive cruise tourism industry,” said Nelson Mandela Bay metropolitan municipality Economic Development, Agriculture and Tourism MMC Shuling Lindor.