Transport

Building of cruise ship terminal to be completed 2018

mturi

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) managing director Catherine Mturi. FILE PHOTO | NMG

The construction of the first cruise ship terminal at the Port of Mombasa is set for completion mid-next year.

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) managing director Catherine Mturi said works on the external parts of the cruise facility are complete.

She added that works on the interior parts of the terminal were underway, saying the project is expected to be completed by June 2018.

“We are glad that the construction of the cruise terminal is progressing well. By mid-next year, the facility will be ready for use,” the KPA boss said.

Earlier, the KPA boss said that when the cruise terminal is up and running, it would boost cruise tourism in the country.

“The aim of building a cruise facility at the Port of Mombasa is to support the government’s efforts to revamp tourism, for economic growth and creation of jobs,” she said.

The works, which began in December 2016, involve the modernisation of an old building at the port’s berth number 1.

The project’s co-ordinator, Abdullahi Omollo, said recently that when completed, the terminal would have arrival and departure areas for passengers coming through the sea at the Port of Mombasa.

The facility will also have a lounge for passengers, an immigration office, reception counters for cruise operators, restaurants and souvenir shops.

“Cruise tourists will enjoy facilities just like those offered at international airports for them to feel comfortable when arriving in the country or when departing for other destinations,” he said.

Mr Omollo said the terminal “which will be world-class” would boost cruise tourism as it would attract more cruise liners to make Mombasa a port of their choice.

“We anticipate more tourists to travel to Mombasa by luxury ships for safari, sightseeing, excursions in Mombasa city,” he added.

Earlier this month, cruise tourism was dealt a blow after a luxury cruise ship MS Albatros cancelled its scheduled voyage to Mombasa.