Statement by the Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, Alderman James Vos
Cape Town’s boat-building market has done it again! The locally-made JetRIB Sea Ranger received the Innovation Award at this week’s International Maritime Rescue Federation’s annual celebration of the global industry.
This week I had the opportunity to inspect this revolutionary boat at the Bellville shipyard of Droomers Yahama, who partnered with Admiral Powercats in designing and producing the JetRIB. It was made especially for the National Sea Rescue Institute which has decades-long experience in conducting rescues along South Africa’s notoriously treacherous 3 000km coastline.
Cape Town’s boat-builders are industry leaders when it comes to innovation, design, and quality, and is the primary driver in helping the Western Cape become the largest marine manufacturing centre within South Africa, generating over R2,3 billion in 2018 in exports revenue, and housing approximately 45% of the country’s boat-builders.
The city’s boating exports have grown by approximately 20,5% year-on-year since 2014, ultimately attracting a positive trade balance of around R1,042 billion annually.
At the same time, the industry has also supported more than 11 000 jobs in Cape Town.
One of my proudest moments as a Mayco member was the launch of the City-funded BlueCape, which is working closely with companies to expand on the benefits of Cape Town’s ocean economy and provide jobs and social upliftment.
BlueCape and its partners will focus on three growth areas: marine manufacturing (boat-building, surfboards, kites, sailing apparel, wetsuits, etc); superyacht production and maintenance; and ocean sports (recreation, events and adventure tourism).
By working together, we can take Cape Town’s boat-building industry to the next level while providing more job opportunities for the people of our city.
Source: City Of Cape Town