Marine and Aviation Manufacturing Project

MARINE
Mossel Bay has a very active international yacht community that visit the bay on a regular basis. The harbour is the only one between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth and at present, there is a dry dock (very limited activities) in the harbour, but no designated yacht components (e.g. masts) or yacht maintenance are available. Vessels need to be towed to one of the mentioned harbours for repairs.

Supply vessels frequently visit the harbour and local components for these vessels are available through a local supplier. Other possibilities are the fishing industry that also needs repairs and the replacement of components. Plans have been discussed for a multimillion-rand transformation of the harbour that would include a mixed-use waterfront development, a dock for cruise line passengers to disembark and various other business opportunities that could include retail, commercial and industrial facilities.

AVIATION
The town also has a very active aviation industry and boasts training facilities for international helicopters as well as fixed-wing pilots. The existing airfield has a tarred surface and has lights for 24hour landings. The possibility is there for these facilities to be upgraded and the runway extended for bigger aircraft to land. Before COVID-19 the George airport serviced approximately 55 000 passengers per month. A large percentage of these are “semi-grants,” business people living in the area, but working in Gauteng and other provinces. This represents an outside source of income for the area.

Mossel Bay Council has adopted a development plan and is currently considering a business and management model.

Specialised components for both these growing industries are imported (either from abroad or from other provinces) for repairs. The necessary infrastructure is available, and the area lends itself to the building of manufacturing plants.

The Total Brulpadda project, which is envisaged for the future, will open a number of new manufacturing opportunities in the oil and gas industry. Engineering works and the manufacturing of components immediately jumps to mind.