Anchoring conversations to grow African boating sector

ABC programme set to inform solutions for the industry

SOUTH AFRICA: The African Boating Conference (ABC) returns to Cape Town this time next month and is shaping up to deliver on the success of last year’s inaugural event that saw the establishment of the African Superyacht Working Group (ASWG).

Delegates can look forward to an update on the progress of the ASWG which has worked to coordinate efforts across the private and public sector to develop the region as a new and exciting superyacht destination. Conference organiser and the founder of the ASWG, Veda Pretorius, will provide an overview of the research that is being commissioned to help quantify the sector's value and support future growth across Africa.

With strong support from industry sponsors, the conference has unveiled an exciting programme that addresses significant issues facing the sector including technology and innovation, trade pressures and supply chains as well as African opportunities and market development.

A panel discussion will also explore the impact of establishing the country as a charter destination. Potentially capable of driving the demand for marinas, marine services, hospitality and tourism, the opportunity needs to be supported by investment in infrastructure as well as the development of hospitable legislation. Discussions are likely to consider how the unfolding process to revitalise the Merchant Shipping Act could help create an attractive environment for superyacht charters.

A separate panel will delve into what this environment should look like by outlining how the region measures up to provide reliable refit and maintenance services as well as the necessary infrastructure to support these services. Recent investments by the V&A Waterfront in a new Superyacht basin and marina as well as the announced potential investment for a similar facility in Durban support the plans to promote the country and region.

As host to the conference for its second year, the City of Cape Town’s James Vos of the Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, is scheduled to provide the opening remarks on the first day and provide an update on why the city has positioned itself as an investment for marine businesses.

With a programme that has been designed to once again go beyond a platform for Power-Point Presentations, the African Boating Conference is poised to live up to the success of its debut in 2025.