Boating industry grapples with effects of US tariffs at inaugural African Boating Conference
Tuesday 21 October, Cape Town: The challenges – and opportunities – US tariffs present for the local boating sector were a prominent theme at the inaugural African Boating Conference in Cape Town this week. The two-day event at the V&A Waterfront brought together boat-builders, maritime media, and other roleplayers from the local, African and international industry. Speaking […]
Victron Energy Marks 50 Years of Innovation by Supporting the African Boating Conference
Victron Energy, a global leader in reliable off-grid and marine energy solutions, is proud to announce its sponsorship of the African Boating Conference, taking place 21–22 October 2025 in Cape Town. This partnership comes as Victron celebrates its 50th anniversary — a landmark moment for a company that has transformed the way people and industries […]
Unlocking Africa’s blue horizon: Marine innovation & opportunity across the continent
Africa’s coastal nations are redefining marine tourism and innovation. This report – anchored by a bullet-point breakdown of key countries – previews the African Boating Conference 2025 and the continent’s rise as the next global marine frontier Across the Southern and Western Indian Ocean, Africa’s coastal nations are charting a bold new course for marine tourism, infrastructure […]
Confirmed Tariffs Threaten South African Marine Exports—But Also Highlight Urgent Need for Global Partnerships
A provisional trade agreement between South Africa and the United States—announced by South African Trade Minister Parks Tau—had aimed to prevent the imposition of steep tariffs on South African exports. However, it has now been confirmed that from August 1, a 30% US tariff has been applied to key exports, including boats, vehicles, and aircraft, […]
Africa – opportunity knocks as continent’s marine industry evolves
Vanessa Davidson, CEO of South Africa marine industry association SABBEX, gives the lowdown on the current marine industry market in Africa, touching on key markets, regulations, marina development, superyachts, crew, and industry challenges The recently announced African Boating Conference (ABC) scheduled for October 21-22 in Cape Town and hosted by the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront,looks set to spotlight […]
Cape Town Hosts Landmark Week for Boating: Industry Conference and Flagship Show Align
The African Boating Conference, the continent’s inaugural industry conference and South Africa’s flagship boat show will run in tandem — a strategic alignment that promises to draw delegates, exhibitors, and stakeholders from across the region and beyond. The boat show, taking place from 24–26 October at the V&A Waterfront, will directly follow the African Boating […]
Africa Takes Center Stage in the Global Marine Economy
The maritime industry is witnessing a transformative moment. A groundbreaking agreement signed between the KwaZulu-Natal Government and Italian marine industry leader NAVIGO International, with Chairperson Katia Balducci in attendance, signals more than just another business partnership—it represents Africa’s emergence as a major player in the global marine economy. A Vision of Maritime Excellence The ambitious […]
Charting Africa’s superyacht future: Why strategy starts with stakeholders
At the African Boating Conference this October, industry leaders will be calling for a pragmatic, inclusive approach to unlock the continent’s untapped potential as a world-class superyacht destination – where local insight, not just ambition, steers the course As the global superyacht industry continues to grow, regions once considered peripheral are now capturing the interest of high-net-worth […]
Boosting Africa’s boating ecosystem
Answering the needs of the boating sector Cape Town is playing host to an exciting new event later this year aimed at building on the potential of the boating sector across the African continent. Scheduled for October, the first ever African Boating Conference is a long overdue addition to the maritime calendar and focuses on […]
Small Harbour Developments Signal New Era for Coastal Marine Tourism in South Africa
South Africa is laying the groundwork for a new wave of coastal economic development with the completion of Spatial and Economic Development Frameworks (SEDFs) for the first three sites in its ambitious Small Harbours Programme. This initiative, led by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), is closely aligned with the country’s Operation Phakisa blueprint for unlocking the oceans economy. […]
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