Durban (South Africa)

Port Durban is South Africa's largest and busiest seaport, while by population (around 0,6 million, metro around 3,5 million) the city is ranked country's 3rd largest. The cruise port is located on Natal Bay (Indian Ocean). Cruise companies often homeport in Durban large liners due to city's great climate and amazing beaches. Durban is also often visited as call port on World Cruises or on ship relocation itineraries around Africa.

Port Durban

Port Durban (aka Durban Harbour) is Africa's 2nd largest cargo shipping terminal (Port Said, Egypt), with annual capacity 31,4 million cargo tons. The container port is ranked 4th largest in the Southern Hemisphere (after Jakarta Indonesia, Surabaya Indonesia, and Santos Brazil), with annual capacity over 2,5 million TEUs (containers) - statistical data 2012.

The port's entrance channel (from Chart Datum) has max depth 13 m / 42 ft and width (between the caissons) 122 m / 400 ft. The port's approach channel / harbor entrance depth is 19 m / 62 ft, which decreases to 16 m / 53 ft within Durban Harbour.

The cargo port generates over 60% of South Africa's revenue. Its infrastructure features 302 km (188 ml) of rail tracks and a total 58 ship berths (managed by over 20 terminal operators). Annually, the seaport handles over 4500 commercial vessels. Durban Car Terminal (inaugurated in 1998) has annual capacity of 60,000 vehicles. In 2004, the terminal was expanded with a 380 m / 1247 ft long bridge connecting it with the quayside.

MSC Cruises homeports a ship in Durban each year, in the period November through April. For its Southern African winter season 2018-2019, MSC increased company's passenger capacity in Durban and homeported here the liners MSC Musica and MSC Sinfonia. The port is also visited by smaller-sized luxury ships, as well as by some larger liners on World Cruise itineraries (like Cunard's RMS Queen Mary 2).

On Salisbury Island is located Naval Base Durban, which is also part of Port Durban. In 2012 the base's facilities were renovated and expanded. Here are homeported all South African Navy's offshore patrol vessels.

In 2012, the state-owned freight logistics company Transnet purchased for R (rands) 1,8 billion (~USD 150 million) the old International Airport site located in KwaZulu-Natal. In April 2012, the company announced its plans for a dig-out port development project on the property. Phase 1 (completed in 2019) required an initial investment of R (rands) 5 billion (~USD 400 million) with the project's balance scheduled for completion by year 2037. Transnet's phased development plans the construction of all 16 container ship berths, plus 5 automotive (RoRo ship) berths and 4 liquid bulk cargo ship berths. The container terminals have total annual capacity 9,6 million TEUs.

Port Durban is operated/managed by TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority). This is Africa's largest port authority company that manages 7 large seaports in South Africa - Durban, Cape Town, Richards Bay, East London, Mossel Bay,  Port Elizabeth, and Saldanha.

Durban cruise terminal

Durban tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

• Ushaka Marine World: one of the largest aquariums in the world. It is located on the south beach of Durban. It is great place for fun and education. There is a shipwreck-themed aquarium, the largest dolphin stadium in Africa (with 1 200 seats), penguin rookery, touch pool and snorkel reef.
• The Botanic Gardens of Durban: this is the longest surviving garden in Africa and the oldest public institution in Durban. The attraction is visited by more that 500,000 people per year. The visitors can see typical plants and arboretum with mixed trees from America, Asia and Africa.
• The Natural Science Museum of Durban: the museum is one of the most visited ones in Africa. The Durban Natural Science Museum displays the heritage of the area and in the world in general. The visitors can see dinosaur in its real size and educate at the interactive KwaZulu-Natal Science Centre.
• Beaches: the amazing beaches of Durban are popular with the name ”Durban’s Golden Mile.” They are beautiful, clean with golden sands and endless sun. The area offers facilities including fast food, changing rooms, lifeguards and shark nets.
• Victoria Indian Street Market: interesting place to visit. Discover the atmosphere of the Indians with temples, mosques, typical food and shops.
• Umgeni River Bird Park: the park is home of more than 3,000 types of exotic birds. You will also see four amazing waterfalls.