African Boating Conference exhibition nears capacity as marine industry backs African platform

Trade display space © African Boating Conference

Exhibition space at the African Boating Conference is nearing capacity, with a diverse line-up of African and international marine businesses adding a strong commercial dimension to the two-day industry gathering in Cape Town.

Taking place on 20-21 October 2026, the African Boating Conference will bring together marine businesses, government representatives, industry bodies, investors, manufacturers, boatbuilders, marina and waterfront interests, service providers and international industry stakeholders.

The exhibition has been deliberately integrated into the conference to ensure that delegates can move beyond hearing about industry developments, products and solutions to meeting the businesses behind them, seeing what they offer and exploring opportunities directly.

African Boating Conference Director Veda Pretorius emphasised, "Listening to somebody speak about a company, product, service or solution is valuable, but there is another level of engagement when delegates can then meet those people face-to-face, see what they are offering and have a meaningful conversation about how it could apply to their own business or market. That is why the exhibition is not an add-on to the conference. It is an integral part of what we are trying to achieve."

The breadth of companies taking exhibition space reflects the diversity of the marine industry itself. Exhibitors include Dan-Bunkering South Africa, FFS Refiners, the International Marine Certification Institute (IMCI), Powersol, ResinX, Seascape Marine Services, Yamaha Distributors, Ajax Systems, Victron Energy, Gulf Craft, NCS Resins and Pesto Sea Group South Africa.

Collectively, they bring expertise spanning areas including fuel and energy, marine certification, electrical and power systems, composites and resins, marine services, propulsion, technology and boatbuilding.

For delegates, that diversity creates an opportunity to engage with different parts of the marine value chain within a single environment. For exhibitors, it provides access to an audience that extends beyond potential customers to include decision-makers, government, industry organisations, investors and businesses from across the African marine sector.

Rather than separating conference content, commercial activity and stakeholder engagement, ABC is deliberately bringing these elements together.

The approach is particularly relevant for an African marine sector where businesses and capabilities can be geographically dispersed, and opportunities do not always become visible across borders.

Greater visibility, stronger networks and direct connections between businesses, governments and industry bodies can help turn discussion about Africa's marine potential into tangible commercial relationships and collaboration.

With exhibition space now close to sold out, organisers believe the response demonstrates industry appetite for a dedicated African platform where businesses can showcase their capabilities, identify new markets and meet the people shaping the sector.

Peter Jacobs, Chief Investigator for IMCI commented, "As pioneers of the marine industry in South Africa, IMCI's presence at the African Boating Conference isn't optional — it's a statement that the standard-bearers show up where the industry's future is being charted and being an exhibitor in my mind is essential."

"The conference is about ideas, but ultimately ideas need people, businesses and partnerships behind them," Pretorius said.

"If ABC can create introductions that lead to business, investment, collaboration or simply a better understanding of what already exists within the African marine industry, those conversations can have an impact well beyond the two days in Cape Town."