State-owned Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) says it is ready to welcome thousands of international tourists to South Africa’s shores through the country’s commercial and seaports, as the 2022/23 cruise season kicks-off.
About 239 cruise ship call-ins are expected from October to April.
The Port of Cape Town anticipates 70 call-ins, the Port of Durban 76, the Port of East London 18, the Port of Mossel Bay 16, the Port of Port Elizabeth 34 and the Port of Richards Bay 25 call-ins.
The first passenger vessel of the season, Hanseatic Spirit, arrived at the Port of Cape Town on October 18, with more cruise ships expected at other ports from October 22.
“The increase of passenger liners calling at our ports is based primarily on the fact that we are in the post Covid-19 phase. We take pride in our role of enabling the South African tourism industry, which has been hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic,” says TNPA chief harbour master Captain Rufus Lekala.
This season is expected to attract more tourists as the global Covid-19 regulations and restrictions have eased. In the 2021/22 year, about 20 cruise ships arrived in South Africa, with 71 call-ins at the various ports, TNPA adds.