V&A Waterfront’s Quay 7 Superyacht Marina Wins 2026 Western Cape Economy Innovation Award for Outstanding Innovation and Contribution to Growth and Development in Infrastructure and Connectivity
Spokesperson available for interviews is Andre Blaine, Executive: Marine & Industrial Property at the V&A Waterfront.
MORE ABOUT THE AWARD
Presented by the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the award recognises the marina’s contribution to strengthening maritime infrastructure, enhancing global connectivity and supporting economic growth in the Western Cape.
Currently under development and scheduled for completion in October 2026, the R230 million Quay 7 Superyacht Marina will provide purpose-built berthing for vessels between 30 and 90 metres while supporting both international superyacht traffic and South Africa’s marine manufacturing sector.
“We are honoured to receive this recognition,” said Graham Wood, CEO of the V&A Waterfront. “Quay 7 demonstrates how strategic infrastructure investment can create meaningful economic opportunities across marine services, manufacturing, tourism, hospitality and logistics. It reflects our belief that Cape Town can compete with the world’s leading maritime destinations while delivering tangible local benefit.”
Part of the Granger Bay precinct expansion, the marina responds to growing international demand for superyacht facilities in Cape Town, which is increasingly recognised as an important maritime gateway and technical hub.
Designed with a dual-use operating model, the facility will accommodate visiting superyachts during peak season and support commissioning and export staging for local boat builders during the off-season, ensuring year-round utilisation.
Commenting on the award, Southern Wind CEO Marco Alberti said: “The V&A Waterfront facilities are vital to our superyacht business, and we welcome the Quay 7 development which adds sorely needed capacity at the right moment.”
John Craig, Chairman of the South African Boat Builders Export Council (SABBEX), added: “Kudos to the V&A Waterfront management team on this well-deserved award. SABBEX appreciates the close working relationship between the V&A Waterfront and the local boatbuilders to facilitate the growth of the local boatbuilding sector, which is an important component of Cape Town and the Western Cape’s economy.”
Vanessa Davidson, Executive Manager of SABBEX, said: “South Africa’s boat building industry has earned a reputation for producing some of the world’s finest yachts and catamarans. That global success has been built on skills, innovation and a commitment to export excellence, but it also depends on having the right marine infrastructure. The Quay 7 development represents a strategic commitment from the V&A Waterfront to support both international superyacht traffic and local boat builders. The award recognises not only an outstanding infrastructure project, but also an investment in the long-term competitiveness of the Western Cape’s Ocean economy and strengthens South Africa’s position as a leading global marine manufacturing hub.”
The development is expected to generate significant downstream economic activity across marine engineering, logistics, fuel supply, provisioning, hospitality, training and tourism while strengthening Cape Town’s position as a globally competitive maritime destination.
“What makes Quay 7 unique is that it has been designed to solve real operational challenges while maximising economic impact,” said Andre Blaine, Executive: Marine & Industrial Property at the V&A Waterfront. “By supporting both international superyacht visitation and local marine manufacturing, the marina creates long-term value for the broader marine economy. The innovation behind Quay 7 lies not only in its design, but in the way it integrates global maritime demand with local economic opportunity.”
The facility will also pursue Gold Anchor accreditation, an internationally recognised benchmark for marina excellence, further enhancing Cape Town’s competitiveness as a world-class maritime destination.
