As the largest boat-building city in South Africa, Cape Town has generated more than R1-billion in export revenue from boat building annually and has directly contributed to the growing number of job opportunities in the sector.
The City of Cape Town’s Executive Mayor, Dan Plato says the industry greatly contributes to the city’s economy.
“Cape Town’s boat building sector is without question a key contributor to our economy, and plays a significant role in job creation and skills development for our communities. I am pleased to see my Mayoral Committee Member and his management team focusing on this sector, which will attract even more investment in the enabling business environment we have created in this city.”
Cape Town’s boat building industry is globally recognised for its world-class craftsmanship, innovation and custom-made designs. The city is also the second-largest producer of recreational catamarans in the world and each year the industry grows by 28.8%.
Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, James Vos explains what makes the local marine manufacturing sector unique.
“What sets the local Cape Town manufacturers apart from their counterparts is that they are easy to deal with as one-stop-shops and work with their clients to ensure they get the maximum return on investment,” he says.
Five top boat builders from South Africa attended the Miami International Boat Show 2019 to showcase their proudly locally-made boats. The event attracted over 100 000 visitors and featured more than 1 400 boats on show from 1 100 exhibitors over five days.
The Miami International Boat show hosted a business roundtable discussion on the business opportunities in Cape Town with various representatives from different agencies, such as energy efficiency, clothing and textile.
Vos says there will be further discussions held in Cape Town to cement the opportunities discussed.
“We look forward to hosting the business delegation next month and welcoming mutually beneficial business partnerships,” he says.
The industry generates highly-trained skilled workers, with training colleges offering a three-year full-time course that encourages hands-on work experience and theoretical knowledge.
“Students are exposed to a wide range of disciplines including design, marine joinery, fibreglass or polymer composite fabrication, metalwork and welding, marine systems, computer-aided drawing (AutoCAD), and boat building standards.”
Since 2014, the South African coastline since 2014 has helped create over 7000 direct jobs in the ocean economy and secured R30-illion investments towards development, marine manufacturing, aquaculture, and the oil and gas sector.
Reports indicate that government may investment R3.8-billion in the oceans economy, with the private sector contributing an estimated R65-billion over the next five years.
An investment in this sector is expected to create over 100 000 direct jobs and more than 250 000 indirect jobs.
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