Port Louis Harbour-the Future Hub
Cruise Passenger Terminal
Over the years, Port Louis Harbour has known much transformation in terms of infrastructural developments, which have enabled the Port to accommodate greater volume of maritime traffic, including larger cruise vessels.
Port Louis Harbour is increasingly playing an important role in the growth of the island’s tourism industry through the development of facilities to accommodate cruise vessels. Statistics show that Cruise liners are showing a keen interest for the Indian Ocean destination. Mauritius not only aims to position itself as a world class cruise destination but also as a hub for the Vanilla Islands in the Indian Ocean region.
The cruise business segment is bringing substantial benefits to the local economy in terms of direct employment opportunities for Mauritians on board cruise vessels and other benefits linked to the supply of stores, water, bunker and inland tourism etc.
The port facilities can accommodate a plethora of cruise vessels which cater for different market requirements. Port Louis accommodates both homeporting calls and transit calls made by Round the World Cruise vessels. The length of homeporting vessels is typically between 250 to 300 metres with 1,800 to 2,200 passengers onboard, whilst for the Round the World Cruise segment, vessel with maximum length of 345 metres can been accommodated.
Despite the fact that the COVID-19 Pandemic has had an impact on the cruise business, with the reopening of the frontiers, the Cruise Segment has undergone a quick recovery. For the cruise season 2022/2023, 22 cruise vessel calls have been registered.
In order to enhance the handling of the projected increase in cruise passengers, the MPA has constructed a Cruise Terminal Building of an extent of 7,500 square metres adjacent to the Cruise Jetty located at Les Salines. This state-of-the-art facility is capable of accommodating up to 4,000 passengers, including the inter-island traffic.
The new Cruise Terminal Building and the development of the cruise business segment will undoubtedly firm up the position of Port Louis Harbour and the region as an attractive cruise destination in the Indian Ocean. Port Louis Harbour aims at offering quality services to cruise liners and passengers, whilst moulding itself in a shell of excellence.
Cruise Timetable 2024
Please consult the Daily Port Situation for the list of estimated cruise timetable.