[image:flickr]

According to the latest data from BlueCape, the City of Cape Town’s ‘Special Purpose Vehicle’ in the marine manufacturing industry, Cape Town is now the global leader in producing catamarans.

Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, James Vos, reported that South Africa is also highly regarded for producing semi-rigid boats and rescue craft, with several manufacturers operating in this sub-sector.

The desirability of Cape Town’s craft building has benefitted several other industries due to the rise in the number of component and equipment manufacturers producing items such as sails, masts, rigging components, marine-grade rope, aluminium doors, upholstery, carbon fibre hatches, engine components, and stainless steel accessories.

Cape Town’s position as the world leader in luxury offshore catamaran production is not just a point of pride, but a beacon of innovation, skill, and potential for future growth. ‘Together, with the continued support of BlueCape and the collective efforts of our talented boat builders, we are charting a course for sustained economic prosperity,’ said Vos.

‘In the past year, local boat builders have produced around 330 catamarans, the majority of which are exported. This is more than any other city in the world.”

‘Our marine manufacturing industry, valued at over R3 billion per annum and growing at an impressive rate of over 17% annually, is soaring. As demand grows, so too does the need for an ever-expanding skilled workforce. This is why the City proudly supports BlueCape to drive work-readiness initiatives while promoting Cape Town’s boat-building industry to investors. Marine manufacturing is one of the industries in which there are oceans of opportunity.’

“Oceans of opportunity”. Classic.

The City has now initiated discussions with boat builders “to explore additional measures to support and expand this vital industry.”

Get a behind-the-scenes view of Cape Town’s booming boat-building industry with Mayco for #EconomicGrowth @VosJames. Find out how the local industry’s success can be attributed to projects and partnerships like the City has with BlueCape.

See: https://t.co/NADtlea1we#CTNews pic.twitter.com/76tnh5OEYG

— City of Cape Town (@CityofCT) June 27, 2024

Business is a-boomin’ in the Mother City.

[source:capebusinessnews]