Cape Town’s marine manufacturing industry sails oceans of opportunity

06 June 2023

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos, recently addressed attendees at the Boating South Africa Awards, the country’s biggest industry celebration. 

Alderman Vos highlighted the local industry's achievements in the past year.

'There continues to be an incredible demand for Cape-made boats with local manufacturers processing orders for every work day of 2023 and contracting with major international organisations such as the New Zealand Navy, the United Nations and SpaceX,' he said.

The evening celebrated the emergence of new talents on the local scene with individuals such as Lorato Motshabi being awarded for the 'Rising Talent: Women Recognition' and Paul and Mary-Clare Tomes being recognised for 'Rising Talent: Excellence in Sustainability'. Trainees of various programmes were highlighted, such as a cohort of young students who have graduated from the Superyacht Training Academy, a maritime institute providing internationally recognised training for professional yacht crew. 

Industry leaders were acknowledged through categories such as 'The Giants: In Service Excellence' wherein Abdul Waggie took the top spot.

'The academy's marked intake of students from 67 in 2021 to 140 this year shows that more and more Capetonians from communities across the metro are taking advantage of the significant professional opportunities of the marine manufacturing industry. This is notable alongside the fact that Cape Town's coastline contributes around R40 billion to GDP per annum. With marine manufacturing specifically, 70% of South Africa's products in 2020 were made in the Western Cape. Whether your interest is in engineering, architecture, or design, Cape Town's boat-building industry has a place for you,' said Alderman Vos.

As part of the recognition of marine manufacturing as an industry with growth potential, the City partners and funds BlueCape, a specialised entity that focuses on research and skills development, including boat-building, superyachts, and ocean sports, and how that links to related industries.

'The City is on a mission to continuously lay the foundations for economic development. Marine manufacturing is one of the industries in which there are oceans of opportunity to be found,' said Alderman Vos.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office