Pretoria – President Cyril Ramaphosa has lauded the opening of the Nelson Mandela MSC Cruise Terminal in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, as a significant development in bolstering the city's status as a leading cruise tourism destination.

According to South African Government News Agency, At the terminal's launch on Wednesday, Ramaphosa emphasized the facility's role in enhancing Durban's appeal alongside Cape Town as a preferred cruise ship stopover. He highlighted the terminal's potential to spur economic growth in the region, with an emphasis on boosting local tourism and business sectors.

"The launch of the Nelson Mandela MSC Cruise Terminal marks more than just the inauguration of a facility; it symbolizes a journey into the life of Nelson Mandela. It positions Durban on par with the world's finest cruise destinations," Ramaphosa said.

The President underscored the economic impact of cruise tourism, referencing the Western Cape's recent season that contributed approximately R1.2 billion to the local economy. He anticipates greater economic benefits for KwaZulu-Natal, with increased cruise ship visits expected to generate more revenue and create jobs, particularly benefitting small businesses.

Citing the Cruise Lines International Association, Ramaphosa noted that most cruise passengers tend to revisit destinations they initially explored on cruises, emphasizing the terminal's significance as an investment in South Africa's tourism future.

The Nelson Mandela MSC Cruise Terminal project emerged from a public-private partnership between Transnet and the Mediterranean Cruise Company (MSC) initiated in 2019. The partnership has seen an investment of around R298 million, with an additional R30 million allocated this year for further expansion.

Despite Transnet's challenges, Ramaphosa acknowledged the progress made with this infrastructure project. He mentioned the KZN Logistics Hub Programme launched by the Transnet National Ports Authority, aiming to enhance capacity in the ports of Durban and Richards Bay. This initiative encompasses 33 flagship projects focused on expanding container capacity and other developments across five precincts in the Port of Durban.

The President highlighted the expected investment of R157 billion in the logistics hub, projected to create around 570,000 jobs. In addition, he mentioned Transnet's collaboration with the municipality, the KZN province, and Ithala Bank to develop the Durban Bay Waterfront, which aims to transform the marina into a world-class economic and tourism asset.

Concluding, Ramaphosa stressed the crucial role of state-owned enterprises in advancing economic and social well-being in South Africa, and he commended private sector partners like MSC for their commitment to the nation's growth and job creation objectives.