Port of Durban open to public for arrival of MSC Sinfonia
Ushering in the start of the 2016/17 cruise season, MSC SINFONIA will be the first arrival at the Port of Durban in the early hours of 1 November. The cruise ship is expected to dock just after 5am* where she will enjoy a traditional welcome including a tug water spraying drill.
One of MSC SINFONIA’s calls to the Port of Durban during the 2016/16 cruise season.
To ensure that the public is able to share in the moment, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has arranged temporary public access to Port of Durban’s North Pier viewing deck on the morning of 1 November. The North Pier is located at the top end of Mahatma Gandhi Road, where simple detours are in place due to construction in the area. Roadside parking is available.
Boasting 980 cabins and newly revamped facilities, MSC SINFONIA will arrive on a journey from Venice, Italy, carrying a full capacity of 2600 European and South African passengers.
The slightly longer cruise ship will be berthed at the Point and Leisure Precinct’s longer M-berth following her recent multi-million Euro revamp which has increased her length by 24 metres.
MSC SINFONIA will also receive a warm Durban welcome from senior officials from the Ethekwini Municipality and KZN provincial government who will be joined by TNPA’s leadership team. The welcoming ceremony will take place at the port’s N-shed, which was upgraded ahead of the 2015/16 cruise season in a joint exercise between TNPA and MSC Cruises. N-Shed now boasts a number of new features including new signage, immigration, baggage scanners, conveyor belt and balustrades among other features.
The Port of Durban’s N-shed.
Other luxury cruise liners sailing to the Port of Durban this season include Regent Seven Sea Cruises with SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR and VOYAGER, Oceania Cruises with its vessels INSIGNIA and NAUTICA, Silversea Cruises with SILVER CLOUD and Compagnie du Ponant with its newly built MV LE LYRIAL.
Arrival time has been changed. The ship will enter port between 4.15am and 4.30am and will arrive alongside M-Berth at approximately 5am. She will depart again at around 5.30pm on Tuesday 1 November.
