eThekwini Municipality has secured more than R1.9 billion in projected private-sector investment to develop superyacht infrastructure and refit capabilities within the Port of Durban.
The investment follows a letter of intent signed between the municipality and Navigo, custodians of the Yachting Aftersales and Refit Experience (YARE) programme, which has committed to mobilise investment towards Durban’s superyacht infrastructure and refit capabilities.
The proposed superyacht precinct will be located on a 24-hectare site within the Port of Durban. The site is reserved for the refit market under the Transnet National Ports Authority Ship Repair Strategy (2025–2035), including superyacht servicing and maintenance.
Municipal officials engaged with global shipyards, captains, manufacturers and investors during a recent visit to the YARE conference in Viareggio, Italy, where the project was presented to potential partners.
“The anticipated economic impact of this partnership is significant. Projections indicate that more than 2 500 direct jobs could be created by 2030 across marine engineering, refit services, advanced manufacturing and tourism,” said inner city regeneration programme manager Lungelo Buthelezi.
More than 100 superyacht captains and over 100 global yacht manufacturers have been invited to attend the YARE Symposium, which will be hosted in Durban in November.
eThekwini Municipality and the Durban University of Technology are also advancing plans for a professional superyacht academy to train skills including welding, marine engineering and advanced composites fabrication.
The municipality said it was moving into the next phase of implementation, including preparations for the symposium and detailed planning for the proposed precinct.
