FEATURES
DURBAN’S NEW PASSENGER TERMINAL CRUISES IN FOR THE 2021/22 SEASON In the September/October 1961 issue of Trade Links, a newsletter covering industrial and commercial news in the province at the time, the headline about the construction of Durban’s Ocean Terminal was: “Africa's most modern marine terminal”.
Under the terminal and administration block were extensive pre-cooling sheds for food and perishables. The designers were MS Zakrzewski & Partners, with main contractors Roberts Construction Company and Consolidated Aluminium Industries.
And while the opening of Durban’s new R200 million cruise passenger terminal in the Point is imminent, the new marine passenger terminal and fruit precooling store was being completed in 1960 at an estimated R5 million.
The site, which changed the look of the T-jetty (previously used for vessels under repair) also had a concrete expanse designed as a heliport.
It was billed as “the most revolutionary government building in this country” and “the most modern in Africa” when it was set to open in March 1962. The structure consisted of a terminal building for passengers either embarking or disembarking from vessels, who would “pass through a modern concourse, which is the only one of its kind in Africa”, along with a spacious lounge and restaurant, an eightstorey administration block which would house the Port Office and various other departments.
30
Also in March 1962, the Daily News described the new marine terminal as “the epitome of new ideas” and “the most modern in the world”. Construction details in various publications detailed: “About 7 000 miles [about 11 265km] of steel reinforcing, weighing 5 500 tons – enough to stretch from Cape Town to London and beyond – have been used in the construction of Durban’s ocean terminal. Excavation above the waterline amounted to about 32 000 cubic yards [about 24 466m³] and 4 000 cubic yards [about (Above): An artist’s impression of the Durban Cruise Terminal. Picture: Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA)
SOUTH AFRICAN BUILDER NOVEMBER 2021
