- Cruise ships have not been allowed to dock in Port Vila for around six months, since a devastating earthquake last December.
- Vanuatu has now worked out a solution that will involve a temporary tender port.
- The first ship to arrive will be Carnvial Adventure on June 8.
The Vanuatu Public Works Department has confirmed that cruise ships will be able to return to Port Vila from June 8, via a temporary tendering port.
Since a devastating earthquake in December, cruise ships haven’t been able to visit Port Vila in Vanuatu. The town’s wharf and cruise terminal were affected by the landslides.
Given that cruise tourism is a significant contributor to the local economy, the lack of cruise facilities has put an extra strain on the town as it attempts to rebuild and recover.
Many cruise passengers have been wondering if ships are still visiting Port Vila, and those more in the loop have been wondering when cruise ships will return to Port Vila.
In a positive turn, a plan has been struck to create a temporary tendering port, meaning that cruise ship passengers will be able to visit again, while Port Vila continues its longer-term work on restoring full cruise facilities.
A statement from the Vanuatu Public Works Department outlines why this is an important step and how it will be carried out.
“The Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities (MIPU), under the leadership of Honourable Minister Xavier Emanuel Harry, has officially signed a 6-month agreement with Tropical Agency Ltd and Knight Bridge to establish a temporary cruise ship berth at the Port Vila seafront.
“This vital initiative supports the resumption and growth of cruise tourism in Port Vila as the city undergoes recovery from recent earthquakes, including wharf road repairs and broader infrastructure restoration. While long-term developments are in progress, this temporary solution will help sustain tourism and economic activity.
“The Seafront will operate as a provisional tendering point for cruise ship passengers. Tropical Agency Ltd, a key shipping agency in Vanuatu, will manage the day-to-day operations of the temporary berth.
“The Department of Ports and Marine will oversee the entire operation, ensuring compliance with ISPS standards. The first cruise ship call is scheduled for June 8, 2025.
“This partnership directly supports the Vanuatu Government’s 100-Day Plan, aimed at driving sustainable tourism and supporting economic recovery efforts.”
The ship expected to visit on June 8 will be Carnival Adventure, with the day hopefully marking the significant milestone of the return of cruise ships to a great cruising destination.
Port Vila is an extremely popular destination, with regularly scheduled visits over the next two cruise seasons from lines such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and more.
It is unclear if all available attractions and infrastructure from before the earthquake will be available, but by all reports, the town is mostly functioning as normal, and many tour operators have already started advertising their services to cruise passengers since the announcement.
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