The Transnet National Ports Authority has concluded an agreement that will see KwaZulu Cruise Terminal Pty Ltd (KCT) finance, construct, operate, maintain and transfer a new cruise terminal facility in the Port of Durban by October 2020.
KCT, a joint venture between MSC Cruises SA and Africa Armada Consortium, was selected as the preferred bidder for the 25-year concession project last year. The project will see an investment over R200m (€13.5m).
The detailed design phase will commence this month and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. This will be followed by an 18-month construction phase from January 2019 to July 2020 and the cruise terminal is expected to commence operations in October 2020, ready for the 2020/2021 cruise season.
Representing KCT, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago, said: “This agreement represents a great development for MSC Cruises’ South African operation. We could not be prouder.”
The project is expected to dovetail with the City’s latest work to extend the beachfront promenade from uShaka beach southwards to the harbour entrance, as well as the development of Durban Point Waterfront.
