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 the country's second-largest - after the capital Johannesburg (~0,96M) and followed by Cape Town (~0,45M). The cruise port is located on Natal Bay (Indian Ocean).

Cruise shipping companies often homeport in Durban large liners due to the 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 (Asia-Europe crossings omitting Suez Canal).

Port Durban

Port Durban (aka Durban Harbour/locode ZADUR) is Africa's second-largest cargo shipping terminal (after 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 4,5+ million TEU-containers (statistical data 2019).

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 mi) of rail tracks and a total of 58 ship berths (managed by over 20 terminal operators). Annually, the seaport handles over 4500 commercial vessels. The main cargo berths are named Pier 1, Pier 2, Cross, Bluff, Bayhead, Maydon Wharf, Point and T-Jetty, and Island View.

Durban Car Terminal (1998-inaugurated) 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.

Each year, MSC Cruises homeports at least one ship in Durban during winter (November through April). For its Southern African winter season 2018-2019, MSC increased its passenger capacity and homeported in Durban the liners MSC Musica and MSC Sinfonia.

The Port is also visited by smaller-sized luxury ships and superyachts, as well as by larger liners on World Cruise itineraries (like Cunard's RMS Queen Mary 2).

Part of Port Durban (on Salisbury Island) is the Naval Base Durban. Its facilities were renovated and expanded in 2012. Here are homeported all South African Navy's offshore patrol vessels.

In 2012, the state-owned freight logistics company Transnet purchased for ZAR 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 ZAR 5 billion (~USD 400M) with the project's balance scheduled for completion by 2037. Transnet's phased development plans include the construction of 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.

In April 2021 was announced a US$7 billion plan for Port Durban's expansion and modernization. When completed (by the year 2031), the Port's annual cargo capacity is expected to reach 11+ million TEUs.

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 1200 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 0,5+ million people annually. 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 a 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.

At Victoria Indian Street Market tourists can discover the atmosphere of the Indians with temples, mosques, traditional food, shops.

Umgeni River Bird Park: the park is home to 3000+ types of exotic birds. You will also see four amazing waterfalls.