The Port of Cape Town: One of the Most Beautiful in the World
19 October 2020
Lying in the shadow of the magnificent Table Mountain, the Cape Town harbour is one of the most beautiful ports in the world.
The harbour is strategically positioned almost at the southern-most tip of the African continent with an extensive, rich maritime legacy that spans centuries.
Right next to this well-positioned port is the V&A Waterfront. Its position and beauty have attracted many tourists over the years from around the world.
The port, having already received global recognition by being nominated as one of Africa’s leading cruise ports in 2019, is developing a world-class passenger terminal through the V&A Waterfront. This is expected to attract leading cruise line companies, which will contribute further to the tourism industry in Cape Town.
An integral part of South Africa’s economy
Over the last five years, Cape Town’s export value grew by over 10% in 2018 over a five year period, and both the number of containers and amount of cargo handled at the Port of Cape Town has seen a rise in numbers.
The Port of Cape Town largely facilitates imports for regional consumption and exports agricultural products originating from the Western and Northern Cape. It also handles the largest amount of deciduous fruit and fish exports in the country.
The thoroughfare has naturally led to the growth of world-class ship repair and maintenance services, accommodating local and foreign fishing industry (particularly from Asia), visiting cruise liners and recreational boating.
An accessible city
Says Alderman James Vos, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities: “Connectivity forms part of our Tourism Development Framework 2024 and our objective is to connect Cape Town with key destinations in Africa and globally.”
“Connecting Cape Town to more cities and countries is key to creating more jobs through tourism and also provides trade opportunities to export more proudly Cape Town products to the rest of the world. We have worked continuously to position Cape Town as the springboard into Africa and beyond, precisely because our world-class airport, which is undergoing expansion, and our well-located harbour which gives access to African and international markets.”
