

Summary
- The terminal is expected to create 300 jobs directly, boosting local industries such as the transport sector, hotels, food providers and curio sellers.
- Industry players are now gearing up for the cruise ship peak season which is set to bring good tidings to the country as the construction of the cruise terminal at the port currently stands at 95 percent complete.
Kenya’s new Sh350 million world-class cruise ship terminal will
be commissioned next month during the tourist arrivals peak season when
luxury ships are expected to dock at Mombasa port.
The
terminal is expected to create 300 jobs directly, boosting local
industries such as the transport sector, hotels, food providers and
curio sellers.
In an interview last week, Tourism and
Wildlife Secretary Najib Balala, said the completion of the terminal
—which is being constructed using a Sh250 million funding from the Kenya
Ports Authority (KPA) and another Sh100 million from Trade Mark East
Africa (TMEA) — will give a much-needed lift to the sector’s fortunes.
Industry
players are now gearing up for the cruise ship peak season which is set
to bring good tidings to the country as the construction of the cruise
terminal at the port currently stands at 95 percent complete.
On
Sunday, the Port of Mombasa received MS Albatros, the first cruise
vessel for the season carrying 446 passengers and 346 crew members. It
was sailing from Zanzibar.
While in Mombasa, the tourists toured the city, Maasai Mara, Tsavo National Park and Shimba hills.
The new terminal includes duty -free shops, restaurants, conference facilities and offices for key stakeholders in the industry.
The
practical handover expected to take place in the next two weeks. The
completion comes in time for the cruise tourism during the festive
December period.
“We are pleased to have this call from
Ms Albatros; it is the first passenger cruise ship of 2019 docking at
the port of Mombasa’s new world class cruise ship terminal. All tourism
stakeholders should collaborate on revamping the sector for more luxury
ships to call at our port,” said Inchcape Shipping Services, Operations
Manager, Mr Bwanaheri Omar Lali.
According to the
expert, the modern facility would, position Kenya as a passenger
destination through the sea tourism and boost the sector.
The
port of Mombasa is one of the busiest ports along the East African
coastline providing direct connectivity to over 80 ports worldwide.
“This
makes economic logic to have the terminal given that it is a critical
node in increasing tourism in the region. The new terminal has modern
high-roofed structures whose primary source of energy is solar. Meeting
rooms and eateries increase the utility of the terminal. A bio digester
that will recycle water for re-use,” a statement from the port stated.
The
design of the facility has factored facilities for differently abled
people to include special lifts, escalators, conveyor belts, scanners,
air conditioning system and washrooms.
KPA Managing Director Daniel Manduku said completion of the terminal will boost tourism in the country.
“The
KPA has prioritised cruise ships calling at the port of Mombasa due to
the high impact created in the coast region by the arrival of such ships
through the facility. The KPA has committed its resources to modernise
cruise terminal to meet the international standards,” Mr Manduku said.
On
her part, TMEA-Kenya Country Programme Manager Elizabeth Mwangi
reiterated the institution’s commitment to support key economic sectors
in Kenya.
“Tourism is Kenya’s second-largest source of
foreign exchange revenue, holding great potential to create jobs and
reduce poverty. In this regard, TMEA-Kenya has marked tourism as a key
intervention area. Specifically, in Mombasa, TMEA will roll out an
export capability programme on tourism to increase revenues and amplify
impact on local economy,” she said.
Mr Manduku said the
KPA, Kenya Tourism Board and Ministry of Tourism will undertake
extensive marketing abroad to raise the terminal’s appeal as an entry
point for tourists to the region and Kenya.
The works
on cruise terminal, which began in December 2016, was expected to be
completed in August 2017, but was pushed to 2018 then later this year
due to “unavoidable circumstances” with Mr Balala blaming the contractor
for the delays.
In February, the sector lost estimated
2,000 tourists in cruise ships destined for Mombasa port after they
were diverted following the Dusit Hotel terror attacks.
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