Durban - Tenders for the new Durban Harbour cruise liner terminal have been called for - more than three years after Transnet last invited proposals.
The port authority made documents available last week when it called for bidders to tender for the construction, operation, maintenance and development of the terminal. The terminal should be capable of handling 5 000 to 6 000 passengers at a time.
The new terminal would be at A and B berths, with B near uShaka Marine World, to complement developments at the Point Waterfront and along the Golden Mile.
According to a tender advertisement this week, the terminal would be on a 27 870m2 section of land, to be operated for 20 years.
International bidders were advised they would need to partner with South African entities and meet BEE requirements.
Transnet currently operates a liner terminal at N Shed.
Durban’s tourism head, Phillip Sithole, said a terminal had been on the city’s agenda for years.
“Durban is a world-class port city and the new terminal will boost cruise tourism significantly.”
He said the new terminal would also make cruise liners consider Durban as a destination.
Commercial director of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) in South Africa, Glenn Delve, welcomed the latest development. The company operates the MSC Sinfonia, expected to berth in Durban later this year.
The Daily News asked Transnet Port Authority questions on the time frames for the project, the delays and plans for the old terminal, but a spokesman said they were unable to comment.
In May 2012, Transnet invited interested parties to submit “expressions of interest” for the funding, design, construction and operation of a terminal.
In 2006, the port handled 50 passenger vessels and 67 017 passengers, but by last year this had increased to 74 vessels and 213 796 passengers.
In July, the Cape Argus - sister newspaper of the Daily News - reported that the Transnet National Ports Authority announced that the V&A Waterfront was to invest R178 million in the development of a cruise terminal, for completion by 2017.
Daily News