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MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The MS Europa II cruise ship stopped at Mossel Bay on 12 February and again on Saturday, 26 February.
The Silver Whisper also stopped in Mossel Bay on 26 February and was in the bay at the same time as the MS Europa II.
Currently, cruise ships cannot enter the harbour. They must stop in the bay and the passengers must be brought to shore.
Over the years businesses dependent on tourism have asked that the harbour be upgraded to accommodate cruise ships.
The Mossel Bay Advertiser asked Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) when this upgrade would take place.
PHOTO GALLERY: Cruise ships in Mossel Bay
A TNPA spokesperson said the port was in the process of reviewing its Port Development Framework Plan (PDFP).
"Once the plan is approved later in the year, as per annual process and norm, TNPA will communicate the PDFP with the public, with the purpose of receiving input from all stakeholders.
"The PDFP will outline the future plans and timeframes. The process is implemented every year, to accommodate ever-changing market conditions and market needs.
"Docking of cruise liners within port limits and transferring passengers by ferry boats is a common worldwide phenomenon for ports that don't have dedicated cruise terminals, due to various factors such as port size and depth, strategic commodities handled at a port and market demand, particularly with small ports such as Mossel Bay.
"It is important to note and appreciate that this type of operation is not unique to Mossel Bay.
"TNPA is also currently and continuously engaging key stakeholders within the industry (WESGRO, cruise shipping companies, the local tourism stakeholders, cruise shipping agents) with the aim of developing a strategy and plan, aimed at reviving the tourism economy, promoting the Garden Route and Mossel Bay in particular, as a tourist destination that attracts more cruise liners and tourists to the Port and the Garden Route," the spokesperson concluded.
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