AS a South African shipbuilding firm works on an export vessel that needs no sailor, several other African countries are joining the league of local shipbuilders, to tap into a burgeoning market on the continent and elsewhere. In May, South African media reported that shipbuilder Legacy Marine was building an autonomous vessel for a client in Saudi Arabia as a proof-of-concept for search and rescue. The 9.5-metre unmanned surface vehicle (USV) being built in Port Elizabeth, Gqeberha in partnership with Noble Concentric Solutions was expected to be completed in December. UK-based Robosys Automation, a smart-shipping specialist, was contracted to deliver the…