New development will bolster region’s superyacht aspirations

V&A Waterfront confirm investment in superyacht marina

SOUTH AFRICA: Efforts to promote South Africa as a destination for superyachts will be bolstered as the V&A Waterfront confirms its intention to invest in a R230 million purpose-built marina that will accommodate eight superyachts and be completed within the year.

Speaking at the Africa Boating Conference in Cape Town last year, Andre Blaine Executive: Marine & Industrial Property at V&A Waterfront indicated that the company would be making an announcement in this regard and the establishment of a superyacht working group as a result of the conference has factored the development into their overall strategies.

Scheduled for completion as early as October this year, the marina will help announce Cape Town’s intention to become a key player in the global superyacht sector. Available facilities for repair and maintenance mean that the Cape Town offers more than a scenic stopover – despite the fact that new Quay 7 Superyacht Marina will offer breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, the City Bowl, and Table Mountain.

V&A Waterfront CEO Graham Wood says the marina will address a market reality that has been building for years. “Superyacht visits have grown steadily since 2009, and we welcomed 35 vessels in the 2024/25 season alone. Many stay for extended periods – six months, sometimes a year – because Cape Town offers a unique mix: world-class tourism, reliable marine services, and access to adventure cruising routes that simply don’t exist in traditional yachting hubs.”

The marina is designed for dual-purpose use. During peak season, the six stern-to and two beam-on berths and their floating jetties will accommodate superyachts of 40 to 90 metres. In the off-season, the facility will support commissioning and export staging for Cape Town’s catamaran manufacturing industry. This sector includes globally competitive builders such as Robertson and Caine, Two Oceans Marine, and Balance Catamarans.

“This isn’t only a leisure marina, it’s economic infrastructure,” says Blaine. “It creates sustained demand for fuel suppliers, provisioning companies, marine engineers, crew training facilities, and logistics operators. It supports local manufacturers who need berthing space for commissioning. And it positions Cape Town as a credible technical hub, not just a beautiful harbour.”

Employment multiplier

The facility will require additional permanent staff with broader employment multiplier effects in the provisioning, refuelling, marine maintenance, and hospitality sectors. The facility will have its own dedicated concierge office servicing the vessels and their crew.

Wood emphasises the high-value, low-volume tourism model that the basin represents. “A superyacht visit generates exponentially more economic activity per visitor than mass tourism.” he says.

Blaine further comments, “These vessels refuel with hundreds of thousands of litres at a time. They source fresh provisions at scale. They employ local marine contractors for repair work. The spend is substantial, the volume is manageable, and the economic benefit stays local.”

The development also reinforces Cape Town’s credentials in sustainability and responsible maritime management. The basin will pursue Gold Anchor accreditation – an internationally recognised standard for marina excellence – and will incorporate environmental management systems aligned with the V&A Waterfront’s broader sustainability commitments.

The superyacht marina sends an important message to the maritime community about Cape Town’s status and ambition.

“More than 30,000 vessels pass the Cape annually for trade and tourism. The cruise season has extended from seven to nine months. Marine training, repair, and manufacturing sectors are already well-established. This new marina formalises what the market has been signalling for years: Cape Town belongs on the global maritime circuit,” says Blaine.

PHOTO: Superyacht marina at the V&A Waterfront.

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