South Africa: The Cruise Cape Town welcomed new Cruise Reception Facility at Port of Mossel Bay. Powered by Wesgro, CCT with this state-of-the-art facility enhanced Mossel Bay’s position in cruise tourism and demonstrated how government, business and communities can collaborate to deliver world-class experiences.
Considering the past 2024-25 cruise season, 21 ships were called to the port of Mossel Bay by bringing approx. 30,000 passengers onshore with an estimated contribution of R45 million to the Mossel Bay GDP-R.
They are certain that the new cruise facilities will bolster the value proposition of Mossel Bay by driving growth in ship calls to the port in future seasons. This will also forge the way for the other smaller South African coastal regions to participate in the blue economy ecosystem.
In addition to this milestone marking the 2025-26 Cruise Season, the Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas has made its inaugural call in South African waters this November 2025, arriving at the Cape Town V&A Terminal.
Furthermore, the Cruise Cape Town Team was honoured to attend the plaque exchange by marking another memorable moment in the cruise tourism journey of the region. Cape Town continued to position itself as the premier homeport for Southern Africa itineraries.
Reportedly, The Transnet National Port of Authority (TNPA) officially launched a brand-new cruise reception facility at the Port of Mossel Bay on Thursday, Nov 13, 2025. The stakeholders as representatives of the Mossel Bay Municipality, Mossel Bay Tourism and TNPA officials were present at the launch.
The Cruise Reception Facility with a R22 million investment of TNPA, is a special designated space for the passengers of luxury cruise ships when they dock in Mossel Bay.
Launch of new Cruise Reception Facility coincides with the start of 2025-26 cruise season, when several passenger ships arrive and dock in Mossel Bay from now until May 2026.
The first cruise ship to dock in the port this season is the bulky Swan Hellenic Diana. Earlier, the Mossel Bay recorded over 13,000 passenger vessels during the previous cruise season.
In her welcoming address, Acting Chief Executive Officer of TNPA – Advocate Phyllis Difeto said that the reception facility is building a powerful symbol of Mossel Bay as a key tourism destination.
Alderman Mark Furness of the Mossel Bay Municipality also spoke on the Port of Mossel Bay’s contribution towards the economy of town, particularly with cruise tourism and how this new facility will further boost itself.
The launch concluded with a guided tour of the building, led by the project manager Zama Ndlela, which included viewing the reception area where visitors to Mossel Bay will be met, as well as office spaces for tourism, customs, security and TNPA officials.