Passengers will pay for terminal upgrade PORTNET IS to spend R3,8 million on improving and upgrading the passenger terminal at the port in Durban.
Portnet has revealed no details but a spokesman for the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has confirmed to FTW that plans have been approved.
According to DCCI's David Wotherspoon, the money will be spent on improvements to the facilities at the current N-shed facility. Work is expected to begin early in January, but no date has been indicated for its completion.
Portnet has declined to show detailed drawings at this stage, saying that this information will only become available later. FTW understands that the N-shed will undergo considerable interior alterations and improvements to the existing barn-like appearance. For R3,8 million one would expect this, but it cannot be ascertained whether the outside will receive any marked facelift.
The exterior has murals painted on the harbour-facing side with scenes depicting local random art, but in all other respects N-shed looks just like what it really is - a goods shed. The view from a passenger vessel berthed alongside is certainly not attractive.
The lack of a proper passenger terminal has come increasingly under the spotlight recently, following the upsurge in the number of cruise ships calling at the port. Now that MSC has stationed the Symphony permanently in Durban, this means that there the shed is in constant use, disguised as a terminal.
Portnet says it intends levying a tariff on embarking and disembarking passengers in order to offset the cost. This will only come into effect once the alterations are complete.
By Terry Hutson
