The inaugural African Boating Conference opened to a full audience at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town yesterday (21 October 2025), bringing together delegates and speakers from across the global marine industry.
The two-day event is focused on collaboration, professional standards and growth opportunities within Africa’s maritime economy, with sessions covering marine manufacturing, insurance and waterfront development.
“Cape Town now leads the country with 65 per cent of all boatbuilding jobs,” says Alderman James Vos, mayoral member for economic growth for the City of Cape Town. “We are building an economy of hope — one that empowers communities and connects South Africa to global markets.” His address emphasised Cape Town’s efforts to support business and innovation through its Ease-of-Doing-Business Index and investment initiatives for marine industry partners.
Kevin M. Williams, vice president of North American marketing at NMMA, led an international session titled “Future Forward: Navigating the New Era of North American Boating”. He urged attendees to adapt to industry-wide demographic and digital shifts. “Certainty was once the strategy. Today, adaptability is the advantage,” he says, calling for greater engagement with younger and more diverse audiences through accessible and experience-focused marketing.
Martin Baum, managing director of Pantaenius Yacht Insurance, presented “The Oil in the Engine: How Insurance Builds a Better Industry”. He notes that investor confidence relies on professional standards and accountability. “Only a professional and safe South African superyacht industry can become a success story,” says Baum, proposing the creation of a South African Superyacht Standards Forum to enhance collaboration and compliance.
“Today exceeded our expectations. We had a last-minute rush of registrations, pushing our numbers to over 200. A remarkable achievement for a first-time event and what was especially gratifying was the number of government officials in the room.”
Conference organiser Veda Pretorius
André Blaine, head of marine and industrial at the V&A Waterfront, outlined how the precinct supports over 83,000 jobs and contributes R45.9bn ($2.62bn) to the local economy. His presentation, “Future-Proofing Our Industry and Marine Business”, discussed cruise growth, new heliport infrastructure and plans for the Quay 7 superyacht expansion. “Our goal is to co-create the world’s most inspiring waterfront neighbourhood,” says Blaine. “Granger Bay will be the central example of this inspiration.”
Conference organiser Veda Pretorius highlighted the V&A’s leadership and the importance of balance between private and public investment. “This is exactly what the African Boating Conference is about — aligning public and private ambition to build infrastructure that drives growth while protecting our oceans,” she says.
Paul Darrouzet, director of Coral Sea Marina Resort in Australia, delivered a video presentation titled “Designing Destination Marinas: Unlocking Africa’s Marine Tourism Potential.” “A single superyacht contributes more to a local economy in a week than a cruise ship,” says Darrouzet. “Africa has the natural beauty and cultural richness to become one of the world’s most desirable superyacht destinations.”
Conference director Veda Pretorius says attendance exceeded expectations, with over 200 delegates including government representatives. “Today exceeded our expectations. We had a last-minute rush of registrations, pushing our numbers to over 200. A remarkable achievement for a first-time event and what was especially gratifying was the number of government officials in the room.”
The conference’s opening day highlighted Africa’s potential to expand its blue economy through collaboration, innovation and sustainability, setting the stage for future regional and international partnerships.
Following the African Boating Conference, which concludes today (22 October 2025), the Cape Town Boat Show will run from 24-26 October 2025 at the V&A Waterfront, creating a week of marine events.
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