ASIA PACIFIC BOATING
September 2023 - News
Turkey’s Ares Shipyard Unveils New Superyacht Brand at MYS
Antalya-based Ares is known for its rapid patrol vessels, but is now expanding into the luxury yachts sector.
Turkey’s Ares Shipyard has unveiled Ares Yachts — its new superyacht brand — at the 2023 Monaco Yacht Show, which ran from 27-30 September. In a press conference, the shipyard’s chairman Kerim Kalafatoğlu confirmed that several superyacht projects are already under construction or in the design phase.
Ares, which is based in Antalya, was founded in 2006 by the Kalafatoğlu family and is known for its naval, utility and support vessels. The yard has delivered over 230 vessels to more than 15 countries to date, building rapid patrol boats for defence and law enforcement missions. Now, Ares is expanding 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 Kalafatoğlu. “This makes it the perfect time for us to expand our offering and show the superyacht industry what we are capable of.”
Ares’ facilities feature an enclosed, air-conditioned production area spanning 40,000 square metres, as well as a workforce of over 450 people. 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.
“This is the perfect time for us to expand our offering and show the superyacht industry what we are capable of” – Ares Shipyard chairman Kerim Kalafatoglu.
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.
Going forward, Ares Yachts will undertake full custom projects above 500 GT and up to 90 metres LOA.
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.
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.”