Türkiye has a long history with the sea. With a 600-year-old shipbuilding tradition and strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia (and surrounded by three seas), the country has always had great, but somewhat dormant, naval engineering potential. In the past 5 years or so, however, Türkiye has emerged as a true superyacht-building powerhouse on the global stage. The real engine behind this meteoric rise might surprise you.
A New Superyacht Superpower
Türkiye is home to 85 shipyards with an ever-growing newbuild capacity. In just 15 years the deadweight tonnages (DWT) volume reached 4.79 million tonnes – an impressive 165% increase. But Türkiye is not just building more boats. It is becoming the premier choice for large-scale, high-quality builds. The 132 superyachts constructed in 2024 boast a combined total gross tonnage of 73,011 GT and average 553 GT per project – far above the global average. According to BOAT International the cumulative Türkiye Order Book shows a remarkable 40% growth, with total build length increasing from 4,167 meters to 5,838 meters. Türkiye now ranks as the second-largest yacht-building nation in the world, eclipsing the Netherlands and only trailing Italy.
Some of the projects displayed at Monaco Yacht Show and Cannes Yacht Festival this year speak to this capacity for excellence of Turkish shipyards:
- Halic Tersaneleri’s Dream holds the title of the country’s longest build at 106m.
- Victorious, by AKYacht, measures 85m, with the shipyard currently working on a 100m+ project.
- Bilgin has delivered three 80m projects in five years, with rumours of an 86m new build underway.
- The Turkish division of Damen Yachting is also notable, with five projects including two 60-meter SeaXplorers.
Why Buyers Flock to Türkiye?
What’s attracting global buyers to Turkish shipyards? Three key factors: speed, quality, and competitive pricing. Turkish yards consistently deliver world-class superyachts at a pace unmatched elsewhere. While new builds in other countries might take 5-6 years to complete, Turkish yards can produce projects of formidable size and top-tier craftsmanship in less than half that time. Buyers are also drawn to the competitive pricing, made possible by fast turnaround times and a favourable tax climate in Türkiye’s free zones. The quality is also second to none. Turkish shipyards continuously invest in capital infrastructure and technology innovation that underpins their ability to produce luxurious vessels to the highest international standards.
But there is something else…
The Talent Factor: The Real Superpower
Behind all this impressive production lies an often-overlooked factor: the talent driving these shipyards. Türkiye’s growth in the superyacht sector isn’t just about mushrooming new facilities or latest design software gimmicks. The true catalyst behind this expansion is the quality of the workforce.
Turkish shipyards are not only attracting domestic talent but also pulling in top professionals from around the world. Opportunities to work on prestigious projects, attractive remuneration packages, and great prospects for career growth are all part of the appeal. This talented 100,000-strong workforce combining crème of the crop technical expertise and superb craftsmanship is what gives Turkish shipyards their competitive edge, ensuring that Türkiye’s rise as a superyacht-building superpower is here to stay.
