Inaugural African Boating Conference Cape Town shapes up
Photo courtesy of V&A Waterfront
The inaugural African Boating Conference Cape Town, South Africa, will be held on 21 and 22 October 2025, at the iconic V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.
The conference will focus on African region’s recreational boating and superyacht industry and will bring together global marine experts, policymakers, marina developers, manufacturers, tourism stakeholders, and investors to explore Africa’s growing marine economy and unlock the region’s potential for industry expansion.
This inaugural conference will host two influential keynote speakers:
- Martin Baum, managing director of Pantaenius – a leading marine insurance provider, will address the growing challenges of risk management and financial protection in an increasingly volatile market.
- Paul Darrouzet, owner of Coral Sea Marina, Australia’s award-winning superyacht marina, will share his expertise on transforming marinas into world-class destinations, the integration of marine tourism and infrastructure, and the economic opportunities of Africa’s emerging superyacht sector.
Martin Baum has nearly 25 years’ experience in the marine insurance industry. As managing director of Pantaenius, Baum has played a pivotal role in developing comprehensive risk management solutions for yacht owners, charter businesses, and marine investors.
Since joining Pantaenius in 2001, Baum has led the company’s international expansion, establishing operations across Europe, the US, and Australia. His expertise in marine liability, emerging risks, and regulatory compliance has made him a sought-after industry speaker and advisor for policymakers shaping marine insurance frameworks. At the African Boating Conference 2025, Baum will address:
- Rising cost of marine insurance and how yacht owners can mitigate financial risks.
- How climate change is reshaping insurance policies for recreational and commercial vessels
- Regulatory shifts impacting superyacht operations in key cruising regions.
- Strategies for yacht owners and businesses to optimise their insurance coverage and financial protections.
Baum says: “The superyacht and recreational boating industry must stay ahead of insurance challenges to protect their investments and ensure smooth operations. My keynote will equip attendees with the insights they need to make informed decisions in an ever-changing risk landscape.”
Paul Darrouzet is best known for his remarkable transformation of Abell Point Marina (now Coral Sea Marina Resort) into one of the world’s premier superyacht destinations. Located in Queensland, Australia, the marina was once an aging facility, but under Darrouzet’s leadership, it has become a multi-award-winning, world-class hub for superyachts, offering state-of-the-art amenities and an exceptional guest experience.
With an extensive property development and marine tourism background, Darrouzet deeply understands how marina infrastructure, tourism investment, and government collaboration can drive economic growth. His work has set new standards for sustainable marina design, luxury resort integration, and attracting high-net-worth visitors to boating destinations.
At the African Boating Conference 2025, Darrouzet will explore:
- The future of superyacht marina development in emerging markets
- How to attract yacht owners to the marina
- Best practices for marina sustainability and environmental responsibility
- The intersection of luxury tourism, marine services, and waterfront development
Darrouzet says: “The marine industry is evolving rapidly. To remain competitive, we must innovate in marina design, service quality, and sustainability while fostering collaboration between governments and private stakeholders. Africa presents incredible opportunities for marine tourism, and I look forward to sharing strategies that can unlock this potential.”
This two-day conference will focus on unlocking Africa’s marine potential, providing industry professionals with the knowledge, tools, and connections to thrive in this growing market.
Key topics at the African Boating Conference 2025 will include discussions around marine insurance trends and how to safeguard assets in a changing market, opportunities in Africa’s growing yachting and tourism industry, superyacht charter trends and evolving global regulations, marina development and resort integration strategies, Sustainability in the marine industry: the future of eco-friendly boating and building strong partnerships between industry, tourism, and government.
With a dynamic lineup of panel discussions, interactive workshops, and high-impact networking sessions, this event is the ultimate gateway to the future of African boating.
The conference is a great opportunity to connect with the key players shaping Africa’s marine sector and position yourself at the forefront of industry transformation. For more information on the African Boating Conference 2025, including registration details and sponsorship opportunities see the organiser’s website.
