The ultramodern cruise terminal at the port of Mombasa is 98% complete.

The expected commissioning date will be communicated on completion, tentatively early next year, the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) told Tourism Update.

KPA, in partnership with Trademark East Africa, is completing the construction of the terminal which complements the Kenya government’s drive to grow tourism in the country.

The terminal will include a passenger reception facility, shops, restaurants, conference facilities and office spaces.

Last month, the MS Albatros, which is operated by Phoenix Reisen, docked at the new cruise ship terminal at the port, bringing over 400 tourists and more than 300 crew members. Two more vessels are expected before the end of the year.

In October, Najib Balala, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, said, as cruise tourism was growing globally, with around 76 million travellers using cruise lines every year, Kenya would like to tap into this sector.

“The KPA has prioritised cruise ships calling at the port of Mombasa due to the high impact created in the coastal region by the arrival of such ships. The KPA has committed its resources to modernise the cruise terminal to meet international standards,” said Daniel Manduku, MD of KPA.