With just nine weeks to go, the African Boating Conference (ABC) 2026 has finalized a comprehensive two-day program built around the theme “Boating as Catalyst for Economic Growth.” Hosted at The Avenue at the V&A Waterfront, the forum brings together international and regional decision-makers across boatbuilding, marina development, charter, investment, and policy.
Executive Keynotes
- Erwin Bamps, CEO of Gulf Craft: Building international shipyard reach from emerging maritime hubs.
- Graham Wood, CEO of the V&A Waterfront: Infrastructure investment plans to support regional superyacht and recreational marine growth.
- Paris Baloumis, Director of Strategic Alliances at Oceanco: Strategic vision and Africa’s positioning within the global superyacht supply chain.
- Alderman James Vos (Invest Cape Town): State of the Industry address detailing metro support for marine sector investment.
- Londy Ngcobo: Regional updates on marine economy developments in KwaZulu-Natal.
Panel Focus Areas
- Boatbuilding: Operational resilience, export markets, and supply chains (featuring Mark Delaney, Gerhard Neethling, Christian Möller, and James Turner).
- Risk & Security: Managing geopolitical exposure, crew safety, and vessel monitoring systems.
- Innovation: Commercial adoption of sustainable technologies and advanced materials.
- Refit & Repair: Infrastructure readiness to capture tightening global refit capacity.
- Electric Propulsion: Realistic assessments of battery tech, range limits, and shore-power charging infrastructure.
- Charter Growth: Industry perspectives from Fraser and S/Y Perseus on establishing world-class Southern African itineraries.
ABC 2026 builds on the momentum of the inaugural 2025 gathering, which established a dedicated B2B framework for Africa’s marine sector. This year’s edition will feature the latest findings from the African Superyacht Working Group’s economic impact study, directly supporting Cape Town’s ambition to position itself as a premier service, refit, and cruising destination for the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean routes. The event includes an economic forecast from First National Bank and targeted boatyard site visits.
Adding to the week’s proceedings, the annual SABBEX Industry Awards will coincide with this year’s conference to celebrate outstanding achievements, innovation, and leadership across the South African boatbuilding sector. Further details regarding award categories, nomination procedures, and event logistics will be released shortly.