The inaugural African Boating Conference opened to a sold-out audience at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, setting a new benchmark for collaboration, professionalism, and vision across the continent’s blue economy. With the presence of delegates representing marine stakeholders across Africa and presentations from global leaders in marine manufacturing, insurance, and waterfront development, the event delivered world-class insight and inspiration.
Alderman James Vos: Building an Economy of Hope and Confidence
Opening the conference, Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Member for Economic Growth for the City of Cape Town, outlined the City’s leadership in marine manufacturing, employment growth, and investment readiness.
“Cape Town now leads the country with 65% of all boatbuilding jobs,” said Alderman Vos. “We are building an economy of hope — one that empowers communities and connects South Africa to global markets.”
The Alderman’s address reinforced Cape Town’s commitment to creating a supportive environment for business and innovation, anchored by the City’s Ease-of-Doing-Business Index and targeted support for marine industry investors.
Global Perspectives: Innovation and Inclusion in Boating
The day’s international focus was headlined by Kevin M. Williams, Vice President of North American Marketing at NMMA, who delivered a powerful session titled “Future Forward: Navigating the New Era of North American Boating.” Williams challenged delegates to embrace changing demographics, new digital landscapes, and inclusive storytelling as engines for growth.
“Certainty was once the strategy. Today, adaptability is the advantage,” he said, urging the industry to engage younger, more diverse audiences through experience-driven marketing and accessibility.
Professionalisation and Trust: The Role of Insurance
Martin Baum, Managing Director of Pantaenius Yacht Insurance, brought a sharp operational lens with his presentation “The Oil in the Engine: How Insurance Builds a Better Industry.” Baum emphasised that investor confidence and industry credibility depend on professional standards and insurability.
“Only a professional and safe South African superyacht industry can become a success story,” Baum said, proposing a South African Superyacht Standards Forum to drive collaboration and compliance.
Partnership in Action: The V&A Waterfront and City Vision
André Blaine, Head of Marine and Industrial at the V&A Waterfront, showcased how the precinct has evolved into a blueprint for inclusive, sustainable development — supporting 83,000 jobs and contributing R45.9 billion annually to the economy. His presentation, “Future-Proofing Our Industry and Marine Business,” highlighted record cruise growth, new heliport infrastructure, and the upcoming Quay 7 superyacht expansion.
“Our goal is to co-create the world’s most inspiring waterfront neighbourhood,” said Blaine. “Granger Bay will be the central example of this inspiration.”
Conference organiser Veda Pretorius praised the V&A’s leadership:
“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 said.
Inspiration from Abroad: A Masterclass in Destination Marinas
Rounding off the day, Paul Darrouzet, Director of Coral Sea Marina Resort in Australia, delivered a high-production video presentation that delegates called “cinematic.” His talk, “Designing Destination Marinas: Unlocking Africa’s Marine Tourism Potential,” demonstrated how vision, service, and teamwork can transform a regional marina into a global destination.
“A single superyacht contributes more to a local economy in a week than a cruise ship,” Darrouzet said. “Africa has the natural beauty and cultural richness to become one of the world’s most desirable superyacht destinations.”
A Sold-Out Success
“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 Director Veda Pretorius
The opening day confirmed Africa’s readiness to compete and collaborate globally. With full attendance, dynamic debate, and shared vision, the African Boating Conference established itself as a premier international forum for the marine industry — highlighting world-class quality and continental ambition.
For more information about the conference, visit their website HERE
