Swan Hellenic presents cruise circuit project to Gabon government. Libreville, Gabon — British boutique operator Swan Hellenic has outlined plans to run cultural-expedition cruises along Gabon’s Atlantic coastline, according to a statement released after Thursday’s meeting with tourism officials. Marcelle Ibinga, minister of sustainable tourism, and Christian Doumingou, deputy director-general of state tourism agency Agatour, hosted company representative Hugues Lamy in Libreville, official statements indicate.
Also present was Marceau Loïc Ekomi-Bilie, local contact for partner firm AGL.
The proposal focuses on creating sea, river and lagoon routes aimed at high — end travellers. Government statements say the initiative would channel spending to local suppliers and diversify a tourism sector that now relies mainly on wildlife parks and business travel.
The ministry welcomed the approach as aligned with Gabon’s policy of wooing private investors to expand coastal tourism. No launch dates, vessel names or passenger numbers were disclosed. Swan Hellenic, founded in the 1950s and relaunched in 2020, operates small expedition ships that combine sightseeing with history and culture briefings.
The company has previously scheduled West African calls in Ghana, Senegal and São Tomé. Gabon’s 2021-2025 tourism roadmap lists cruise growth as a priority, though past efforts stalled over limited pier infrastructure and sporadic international promotion.
The new talks signal renewed official interest, but implementation details remain unclear.
Officials did not indicate when itineraries might be announced, and Swan Hellenic has yet to publish Gabon voyages on its public schedule. Further updates are expected after follow-up technical discussions.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 4*
