The Growing Marine Market in South Africa
The South African boatbuilding industry has strengthened its position over the years and has established itself as one of the world’s leading boatbuilding nations. This market earns recognition for its boatbuilding expertise and a strong export presence.
Meanwhile, for over a decade, Flexiteek has been a part of this developing story through our South African distributor, Aquadex Africa (Pty) Ltd, run by Marie Allen and Alan Jamieson. Aquadex is based in Somerset West and supplies and installs Flexiteek across South Africa and other Southern African countries.
Why is South Africa important to the global boatbuilding industry?
South Africa has been positioning itself competitively on the global stage for a while now.
Between 2018 and 2023, it was reported that the South African boatbuilding industry saw an average annual growth rate of 22.3%. In 2023, boat exports reached R4.9 billion (worth approximately £223.6 million British Pounds). (Maritime Review Africa)
The South African boat-building industry manufactures both commercial and recreational vessels. South Africa concentrates much of its boatbuilding activity around three key hubs: Cape Town (near the central port), Knysna (Southern Cape), and St Francis Bay (Eastern Cape). For example, Cape Town and the Western Cape anchor roughly 70–80% of the nation’s marine manufacturing and design capacity.
This market strongly orients itself toward exports, not just producing boats for internal use. According to sources, the South African sector exports 90% of its boats (African News).
Why is South Africa a global leader in catamaran production?
One of the country’s greatest strengths is the manufacturing of catamarans.
South Africa is one of the world’s leading catamaran manufacturers, ranking second only to France in leisure sailing catamaran production.
Cape Town is particularly important to this sector. It has been recognised as the world’s leading catamaran-building city (Sail and Leisure). Reports indicate that Cape Town has over 40 shipyards and hires over 5120 skilled workers (This is Cape Town).
James Vos – Mayoral Member for Economic Growth – “Cape Town now leads the country with 65% of all boatbuilding jobs,” Vos said. “We are building an economy of hope – one that empowers communities and connects South Africa to global markets.”
The city is home to a concentration of established boatbuilders and marine manufacturing businesses serving both domestic and international markets.
The country’s marine manufacturing capability extends beyond leisure catamarans. South African yards also build and support a diverse range of commercial and specialist vessels. This is in addition to yachts, powerboats, and other recreational craft.
How did Aquadex Africa become a Flexiteek distributor?
Aquadex Africa’s relationship with Flexiteek began in 2015 when Rob Tilney of Advanced Marine Decking UK introduced Marie Allen and Alan Jamieson to the brand.
During his visit to Cape Town, Rob explained that Flexiteek International was looking for a distributor in South Africa and asked Marie and Alan whether they would be interested.
It was a decision that ultimately changed their life for the next decade.
After the decision to become a Flexiteek distributor, they travelled to Sweden for an introduction to Flexiteek and a short course in fabricating Flexiteek decking. Following this, Aquadex Africa officially began its journey as a Flexiteek distributor.
In its early days, Aquadex started as a small operation with Marie and Alan handling everything themselves, including templating, fabrication, and installation. They had some of their first decks fabricated overseas and shipped them to South Africa for installation.
But after six months, the business had grown to employ its first additional member of staff.
From their early beginnings, Aquadex has grown significantly with Flexiteek. Today, the company employs 23 people and operates across three workshops. What began as a small operation has become an established Flexiteek distributor serving customers across South Africa and Southern Africa for the last 11 years.
A partnership that grew with the market
As with every newly established business, it wasn’t without its challenges.
In 2015, many of the local boatbuilders were either using natural teak or leaving the decks with just the GRP. This meant Marie and Alan had to educate boatbuilders and owners to understand the benefits of an alternative material. As well as, importantly, seeing where Flexiteek fitted into the increasingly international South African boatbuilding market.
The biggest opportunity came from the exportation of boats, with 90% being shipped overseas. A significant proportion of the country’s recreational boat production is destined for international markets. As boats were being sold around the world, owners were increasingly specifying the products and finishes they wanted on their boats.
This created an opportunity for Aquadex, with boat owners ordering and requesting Flexiteek to be installed on their boats.
Over the years, the relationship with Flexiteek has also given Marie and Alan the opportunity to become part of a much wider international marine industry.
They have travelled to Amsterdam for Metstrade, visited Flexiteek and Wilks facilities in the UK, and attended conferences and boat shows in different markets.
Throughout this time, these experiences have allowed them to build relationships with people across the international boatbuilding industry while gaining a broader understanding of the markets in which their customers operate.
For a business that started with two people doing almost everything themselves, the international side of the partnership has become an important part of the Aquadex story.
Aquadex Africa’s Flexiteek Project Example
The captain of Al Shoa, which was undergoing a refit in Durban Harbour, approached Aquadex. The captain asked the team to provide a quotation for Flexiteek decking on parts of the vessel.
The project opened the door to new opportunities, and the business began to gain momentum as further opportunities emerged.
Where can you buy Flexiteek in South Africa?
Flexiteek is available in South Africa through Aquadex Africa (Pty) Ltd. They are our authorised distributor for South Africa and the wider Southern Africa region.
Based in the Western Cape, Aquadex has been supplying, fabricating, and fitting Flexiteek decking since 2015. The team works with boatbuilders, marine businesses, and boat owners across the region. Through these networks, they provide Flexiteek decking for projects ranging from smaller tenders through to larger yachts.
Aquadex Africa can help with your Flexiteek project from the initial enquiry through to design, manufacture, and fitting.
Looking for Flexiteek in South Africa?
Contact Aquadex Africa to discuss your project and find out more about Flexiteek synthetic teak decking.
Alternatively, you can use the Flexiteek distributor map to find your nearest distributor.
Flexiteek sponsors the African Boating Conference 2026
Our relationship with the South African marine industry continues in 2026, with Flexiteek sponsoring the African Boating Conference 2026.
The event brings together businesses and professionals from across Africa’s boating and wider marine industries. This provides an opportunity to discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping the continent’s marine sector.
Flexiteek CEO Adam Ramsden states, “Africa represents an exciting and evolving market for the global marine industry. The African Boating Conference provides a valuable platform to engage with key stakeholders, understand regional opportunities, and contribute to conversations about innovation and sustainable development. We are pleased to support an initiative that is actively shaping the future of the industry on the continent.”
The company’s involvement in the African Boating Conference reflects the growing international interest in Africa’s marine industry. It also builds naturally on our long-standing relationship with the South African market and our distributor, Aquadex Africa.
It is particularly fitting that the event takes place in the same market where our relationship with Aquadex began more than a decade ago.
Looking Ahead
South Africa has become an important part of the global marine industry, with a strong boatbuilding heritage, a growing export market and a world-leading position in catamaran manufacturing.
For Flexiteek, our relationship with South Africa has always been about more than supplying decking. Through our partnership with Aquadex Africa, we have spent the last 11 years building relationships, supporting boatbuilders, and developing the market for synthetic teak decking across the region.
From Marie and Alan starting Aquadex as a small business in 2015 to the 23-person company it is today, their journey reflects the growth and potential of the wider South African marine market.
As we look ahead, we are excited to continue supporting Aquadex, South African boatbuilders, and the wider African marine industry.
Our sponsorship of the African Boating Conference 2026 is another step in that commitment. The event gives us the opportunity to connect with businesses and industry professionals, better understand opportunities across the continent, and contribute to the future of Africa’s marine industry.
After 11 years, our partnership with Aquadex continues to grow, and we look forward to seeing what the next chapter brings.
