Monaco Yacht Show: Turkish boatbuilder unveils new superyacht brand

Ares Shipyard has unveiled its new superyacht brand — Ares Yachts — at the 2023 Monaco Yacht Show, confirming that several superyacht projects are already under construction or in the design phase.

Ares, which is based in Antalya, Turkey, was originally founded in 2006 by the Kalafatoğlu family. Since then, the yard has delivered over 230 vessels to more than 15 countries to date – building a reputation for its naval, utility and support vessels, and building fast patrol boats for defence and law enforcement missions. Now, Ares says it is looking to expand further into the luxury yachting arena.

“We have already been recognised as being both Turkey’s fastest-growing company and its largest exporter of military and commercial vehicles,” says Ares Shipyard chairman Kerim Kalafatoğlu. “This makes it the perfect time for us to expand our offering and show the superyacht industry what we are capable of.”

Known as one of the largest steel, aluminium and composite boat builders in Europe, in terms of its facilities, Ares’ facilities feature an enclosed, air-conditioned production area spanning 40,000 square metres, as well as a workforce of over 450 individuals. Ares Shipyard also has a total of four hangars and a dedicated furniture factory, with the capacity to build vessels up to 90 metres.

Ares Yachts will utilise its parent company’s facilities. These include carpentry, composite, metal, and electric workshops.

Projects underway include the 61.61-metre steel hulled cruising ketch Simena that is currently in build. The project is penned by Taka Yacht Design and Design Unlimited. It features a carbon-epoxy superstructure, with all-aluminium masts and rigging design by Chris Mitchell. With power provided by hybrid propulsion, Simena has a top speed of 15 knots and a cruising speed of 11 knots, with the vessel’s delivery scheduled for December 2024.

Image courtesy of Ares Shipyard

Ares Yachts also has the 50-metre motor yacht Spitfire under construction, based on the same foundations that produced the Ares 150 Bold Class in 2018 – a 48-metre offshore patrol vessel designed by BMT and built by Ares. The 499 GT vessel Spitfire has been designed in collaboration with Lateral Naval Architects and Bannenberg & Rowell Design and can reach a top speed of 23 knots.

Ares Yachts also has Project Atlas with Hot Lab (part of the Viken Group) in the pipeline. This is a 54-metre fast displacement explorer motor yacht with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure.

In addition, Ares Yachts has also developed a new family of vessels centring around an advanced diesel-electric system integrated with pods, with the range spanning 65m, 75m and 85m.

The implementation of alternative types of energy, such as methanol, is also being considered during the early engineering development, with the superyacht range currently being developed in close collaboration with Lateral Naval Architects. Ares Yachts is currently in the tender phase of selecting the exterior and interior design partners for this range.

Going forward, Ares Yachts will undertake full custom projects above 500 GT and up to 90 metres LOA.

Kalafatoğlu adds: “Whether it’s a sleek and modern superyacht or a majestic ocean explorer, we aim to redefine what is possible on the big blue.”

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