Three years after its last voyage in South African waters was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the iconic Queen Mary 2 ocean liner sailed into the Port of Durban on Monday (April 3). EThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda has hailed the arrival as a clear sign of the revival of the city’s tourism sector.
“The arrival of the Queen Mary 2 demonstrates that the tourism industry in Durban is now bouncing back. We are also pleased that the Department of Tourism has embarked on a cruise tourism maximisation strategy. This aims to penetrate the cruise market to ensure more cruise liners come to South Africa and Durban,” Kaunda said.
The ship docked in Durban, South Africa’s busiest port, for the day before heading to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth/Nelson Mandela Bay) in the Eastern Cape. On Friday (April 7), it is expected to sail into Cape Town’s port.
Over 2 000 guests were expected to disembark from the Queen Mary 2 in Durban, according to Durban Tourism and eThekwini Municipality officials.
Tour shuttle buses transported visitors to various tourist attractions, such as the Valley of 1000 Hills and game and wilderness tours in Hluhluwe and the Isimangaliso/St. Lucia Wetland Park UN World Heritage site in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Similar excursions are planned for when the ocean liner docks in Nelson Mandela Bay and Cape Town.
Part of Cunard Lines, Queen Mary 2 is reputed to be one of the world’s biggest ocean liners (undertaking transatlantic and longer ‘line voyages’ as opposed to shorter cruise trips). Built in 2003, the ocean liner has 14 decks and a capacity of 2 691 passengers.
New Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal
The ship did not dock at Durban’s new Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal but used the old N-Shed instead. The new terminal, which cost over R200 million (€10.2m) to construct, is owned and operated by KwaZulu Cruise Terminal (KCT), with MSC Cruises as its majority shareholder.
The terminal is located adjacent to the Durban Point Waterfront and Ushaka Marine World, with KCT securing a 25-year concession from Transnet National Ports Authority to finance, construct, operate, maintain the facility.
The new terminal is expected to be a major drawcard for cruise liners looking to come to the country.
“The arrival comes as we are busy with the expansion of the Port of Durban. This development is expected to be a major drawcard for cruise liners and will include five-star hotels, retail malls, apartments and an African cultural centre,” Kaunda said.
