Why MV Norwegian Dawn ship arrival matters

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) has described the arrival of the largest cruise ship, MV Norwegian Dawn, as strategic and confidence-inspiring for other ships of similar size to dock at the Dar es Salaam Port.

The arrival of the 294-meter-long ship, operated by the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), set a new record for the Dar es Salaam port.

With over 2,210 tourists aboard, the cruise vessel docked at around 6 am yesterday and is scheduled to depart later in the evening.

At a colourful event to receive the vessel at the port, Dar es Salaam Port Director Mrisho Selemani, speaking on behalf of TPA’s Director General Plasduce Mbossa, said the ship has a capacity to carry 4,700 tourists but arrived with 2,210 tourists and 1,000 crew members.

“There are things to be proud of here, one is that the Royal Tour campaign continues to bear fruit. These tourists are heading to Selous National Park and other tourist attractions in the country. As the port, we are happy that such a big-sized ship has arrived at the berth safely due to improved infrastructure at the port,” Mr Mrisho said.

He said for the port of Dar es Salaam, this was the largest ship ever to dock due to improvements in port infrastructure, including deepening the berths and widening the entrance channel.

“Our expectation is to serve ships with a length of up to 305 meters,” he said, thanking the government and TPA for the port expansion.

TPA’s Director of Marine and Port Operations, Captain Abdula Mwingamno, said, “Today we have witnessed the largest passenger ship to dock at the country’s ports.”

“The arrival of this ship is strategic for luring other ships of this size because it gives confidence that they will dock here at the Dar es Salaam Port safely,” Captain Mwingamno stated.