New luxury cruise terminal for Cape Town harbour

Cruise liner terminal finally gets green light

A luxury cruise liner terminal is to be built at Cape Town's harbour after management company Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) confirmed V&A Waterfront (Pty) as its preferred bidder for the major redevelopment.

Once the R179-million deal is concluded, V&A Waterfront will take over the operation and maintenance of South Africa's oldest working harbour before handing it back to TNPA after 20 years.

The project, which has been in the pipeline since 2012, will open up additional access to the port and provide greater facilities for passenger vessels.

The mixed-use development also includes hotel accommodation, retail, hospitality services and leisure activities based around the port. South Africa’s cruise season, which runs from October to April, attracts around 10,000 visitors to the Western Cape each year, generating around R200m for the local economy.

Built in 1860 the V&A harbour is often described as one of the world's most scenic ports with its sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and Table Mountain.