TRANSNET National Ports Authority (TNPA) 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.
This season is expected to attract more tourists as the global Covid-19 regulations and restrictions have eased, according to TNPA.
Approximately 239 cruise ship call-ins are expected between October 2022 and April 2023. The Port of Cape Town anticipates 70 call-ins; Port of Durban 76, Port of East London 18, Port of Mossel Bay 16; Port of Port Elizabeth 34 and Port of Richards Bay, 25.
In 2021/22, about 20 cruise ships arrived in South Africa, with 71 call-ins at the various ports.
The first passenger vessel of the season, Hanseatic Spirit, arrived at the Port of Cape Town on 18 October 2022, with more cruise ships expected at other ports from 22 October 2022.
TNPA’s chief harbour master, Captain Rufus Lekala, said, “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.”
