KZN–Italy Boatbuilding Deal Aims to Boost Oceans Economy and Marine Exports

In a bold move to transform KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) into a leading player in Africa’s oceans economy, Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has hailed a newly formalized boatbuilding and yachting partnership between the provincial government and Italy’s NAVIGO yachting cluster as a strategic milestone with far-reaching economic implications.

The announcement was made during the high-profile KZN–NAVIGO Boat Building and Yachting Industry Roundtable held in Umhlanga, north of Durban, on Tuesday. The event brought together Italian maritime stakeholders, provincial officials, and industry leaders to chart a course for investment, technology transfer, and manufacturing collaboration in South Africa’s burgeoning maritime sector.

“This is more than a business exchange. It is a platform for economic renewal, capacity building, and global positioning,” said Premier Ntuli. “We welcome this collaboration as a driver of innovation and growth within the maritime sector.”

A Strategic Maritime Alliance

The partnership is part of KwaZulu-Natal’s broader commitment to its Integrated Maritime Strategy, which aims to unlock the potential of its vast coastline, port infrastructure, and human capital. In line with South Africa’s Operation Phakisa: Oceans Economy initiative, the collaboration with NAVIGO—a premier Italian cluster representing over 400 members in the yacht and boat manufacturing value chain—sets the stage for KZN to become a continental hub for marine production, exports, and high-value industrialisation.

NAVIGO brings to the table decades of expertise in advanced boatbuilding, component design, aftersales services, and supply chain integration. Their track record in developing world-class maritime clusters in Europe is expected to significantly accelerate KZN’s own aspirations.

Core Pillars of the Partnership

The roundtable discussions identified key pillars that will anchor the partnership:

• Technology Transfer: Leveraging Italy’s sophisticated marine engineering techniques to enhance South African boatbuilding operations.

• Local Manufacturing Development: Enabling the growth of small and medium boatyards, as well as high-volume production sites for both commercial and recreational vessels.

• Skills Training and Technical Capacity: Establishing training programmes aligned with global standards to prepare youth and workers for employment across the marine value chain.

• Investment Facilitation: Attracting Italian and global investors into KwaZulu-Natal’s maritime industrial zones.

• Market Access: Supporting KZN manufacturers in accessing the European, African, and Middle Eastern boating markets.

• Aftermarket Services: Enhancing services such as marine maintenance, refitting, and customization to ensure sustainable local industry growth.

MEC for Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs, Reverend Musa Zondi, who joined Premier Ntuli at the event, emphasized that the province’s economic development strategy prioritizes sectoral diversification, of which maritime industries play a central role.

Skills Development and Institutional Linkages

The roundtable also focused on bridging the gap between industry and education. Plans are underway to forge linkages between NAVIGO’s technical institutions and KwaZulu-Natal’s universities, TVET colleges, and marine training academies.

“Our goal is to ensure that partnerships like this one translate into real economic opportunities—from the youth being trained in high-demand technical skills to entrepreneurs breaking into global marine value chains,” Ntuli noted.

These efforts aim to upskill thousands of young South Africans in marine engineering, vessel maintenance, navigation systems, composite materials, and quality control—skills that are in high demand globally.

Economic Inclusion and Local Empowerment

Premier Ntuli reaffirmed his government’s full support for initiatives that promote inclusive industrialisation, skills empowerment, and trade development, emphasizing that the project is not only about economic growth but also about community transformation.

“KwaZulu-Natal is open for business and ready to lead in Africa’s emerging maritime economy,” he declared.

The KZN–NAVIGO collaboration is expected to spark a new wave of marine start-ups, job creation in coastal towns, and export-oriented manufacturing, aligning with national priorities of economic renewal, localization, and global competitiveness.

A New Wave for Africa’s Maritime Future

The successful hosting of the roundtable and the signing of this strategic cooperation is viewed as a model for South-South and South-North partnerships in high-value manufacturing. It signals KwaZulu-Natal’s intent to move beyond commodity-based trade and into the realm of value-added exports, blue economy leadership, and technology-driven growth.

With Durban’s port infrastructure, a skilled youth demographic, and political will to drive transformation, KZN is positioning itself as a trailblazer in Africa’s maritime industrial future.