V&A to have six dedicated superyacht berths as superyacht plan takes shape

Cape Town is on track to become a regional superyacht repair and maintenance hub with news of planned dedicated superyacht berths at the V&A Waterfront. 

V&A marine and industrial executive manager Andre Blaine this week confirmed the superyacht basin plan, which is expected to further bolster the number of superyacht visits following a marked increase since Covid-19.  

The V&A detailed its superyacht ambitions at this month’s inaugural African Boating, the first event of its kind in Africa which featured a strong focus on the continent’s potential to grow its superyacht sector. 

Local marine stakeholders welcome the V&A’s investment in superyacht infrastructure as having a positive impact on the broader ‘blue economy’.

“The adoption of a superyacht strategy for Southern African and the Indian Ocean Islands, and the intention to form a working group to take this work forward, are critical steps,” said Vanessa Davidson, co-director of oceans economy marketing group BlueCape. “We have received very positive feedback from the Indian Ocean island businesses, and there is definitely positive momentum for regional solutions where we can leverage each of the key selling points of the Indian Ocean destinations, whilst creating stepping stones on a route that will serve both the owners and crew requirements of superyachts,” Davidson said. 

She commended the V&A for their investment in supporting infrastructure.  

Marine stakeholders say superyacht-related services could provide a significant boost to the regional economy, with some services already available such as stewardess training schools. The Western Cape already has well-established ship repair and boatbuilding sectors. 

Blaine previously referenced New Zealand’s as an example of potential revenue generated by superyacht visits.  

In 2013 New Zealand superyacht revenue amounted to R9,16-billion, of which berthing alone generated over R1-billion . 

Last year a single superyacht spent R10million on diesel during its Cape Town stopover. 

The Western Cape cruise liner sector created about 1230 direct full-time jobs in the 2024/25 season, according to a Cruise Cape Town/Wesgro report issued earlier this year.  

In total the season cruise season injected R1.79 billion to the Western Cape economy.  A thriving superyacht sector could make a similarly impressive contribution to revenue and job creation, stakeholders say.