Can we learn about the production capacity of CMB Yachts? What kind of facility do you have?

We have a production facility with a total area of 10,000 square meters, 6,000 of which are enclosed. Our facility includes two delivery hangars, each 50 meters long, and a mega production hangar that is 130 meters long. We have the capability to simultaneously build three yachts over 40 meters in length. Next year, with the planned revisions to our mega hangar, we will be able to complete and deliver all projects up to 100 meters from start to finish within the mega hangar. Due to our quality standards, we do not work with any subcontractors at any stage of our projects. All production and assembly work on the yachts is carried out by our own team in our shipyard. In addition to the main structural tasks like lamination, carpentry, painting, furniture, and polishing departments, infrastructure tasks such as plumbing, electricity, chrome, mechanics, and upholstery are also carried out by our in-house team.

How large is your team?

Currently, we have a team of 250 people working on the three mega yachts in production at our shipyard. We also have a very experienced and dynamic administrative and management team of 20 people. Our shipyard and team, which meet ISO and OHSAS quality standards, follow professional corporate processes as rigorously in management as they do in production.

You work with significant names in both interior and exterior design. But CMB Yachts also has its own design and engineering team…

Although we are in contact with all the leading designers in the world, there are a few permanent designers who can capture our vision. Espen Oeino is one of them for exterior design and is the creator of the projects currently in production. For interior design, we have worked with world-renowned names like Tara Bernerd and Birgit Schnaase. The interior design concepts and project responsibilities are carried out by Arte-bel Design Studio. Beril Başaran and her team take on the concept and detail responsibilities of all our projects. The design processes carried out under their project management are one of the biggest factors that set us apart and place us in a leading position in the industry. CMB Yachts also has its own design office and team. All details and project plans in engineering and infrastructure, as well as in interior and exterior design, are carried out by our team, which has signed many award-winning projects in the industry.

TIMELESS YACHTS

Your first project, the 46-meter Mystic, was the largest composite yacht built in Turkey and Europe at the time. What kind of reaction did it receive?

Mystic is a landmark among composite production boats. Until then, no composite boats of this size had been produced in Europe. The recognition in its quality and design laid out in Mystic has led it to a privileged place in the industry. As of today, no composite boats were produced in Mystic-sized Turkey except for CMB Yachts. It also fully deserves the concept of “Timeless Design”, which we are trying to create in its design. It admires everyone who sees it. Mystic is a boat that will never lose its charm no matter how old it is. In addition, Art-Deco interior design is unique. We meet with buyers who want to own it every year, but I don’t think the boat owner will easily leave Mystic.

Then came the 47-meter Orient Star, and you won awards with it. What kind of yacht was it?

Orient Star is a project that started during our process of surpassing ourselves. While we thought we had reached the final point of the “Timeless Design” concept with Mystic, we crossed paths with a family of sea enthusiasts who envisioned this design from a different perspective. Their passion for the sea and their respect and admiration for the boat greatly impressed us. We decided to merge their dreams with our vision and create another unique project. For us, every project that comes out of our shipyard is not just a product, but a part of us. Therefore, realizing the dreams of people who see their boat as a part of themselves gives us great pleasure and pride. Orient Star, created with such a feeling, has won many awards on international platforms. Moreover, the Contemporary-style interior design created in 2012 still hasn’t been matched in terms of integrity and quality. Seeing our two highly respected boats sailing the seas with all their elegance fills us with pride.

The 46-meter Miracle, designed by Espen Oeino, is about to be launched. At what stage is the construction?

The production process of Miracle is complete. However, we will not launch it this year. Despite having many interested customers, we will launch Miracle and its sister ship Magic simultaneously next year, in line with our sales and marketing strategies, and present them to potential buyers. We avoid openly defining the concept at this time, but I should note that when we started the design process with Espen Oeino, our sole objective was to influence the next 10 years. We plan to launch a total of five projects within this concept. Although the design might be imitated, we detailed the design in such a way that it will not have the same impact as Miracle. There are many unnoticed details in the project that give the main emotion. This proves that the project is far ahead of other designs in the industry. Espen Oeino, who has become the most successful designer in mega yacht projects worldwide, emphasizes that our design is far ahead of other designs in this size range.

Can you tell us about the other two yachts, also designed by Espen Oeino, currently under construction? What stage are they at?

The other two yachts designed by Espen Oeino are the 46-meter Magic and the 47-meter Mina. The structural phase of Magic is complete, and infrastructure production has begun. It will be ready to launch alongside Miracle in the upcoming season. Mina’s hull structure is complete, and the superstructure production has begun. We plan to launch Mina in the 2018 season. Although we describe these two yachts as Miracle’s sisters, they differ in layout plans and the use of colors and materials. Our aim is to diversify the design, which has many differences within itself, and present it to customers of all styles.

Will you continue to use composite materials in production?

In all the projects we’ve undertaken so far, we have used composite systems to achieve the quality standards we desired. However, it is possible that we may use different systems in different projects. Our shipyard’s infrastructure is prepared to use all production materials. Our project managers and production personnel in both design and production have knowledge of composite as well as steel, aluminum, and wood production. We have two projects over 60 meters currently in the design phase. The hulls of both projects will be made of steel, and the superstructures will be made of aluminum and composite.

Can you tell us about these new projects in the design phase?

We currently have three projects in the design phase: a 47-meter composite motor yacht, a 63-meter steel-over-aluminum motor yacht, and a 70-meter steel-over-composite motor yacht. We will start the 47-meter project in 2018. We plan to start the 63-meter and 70-meter projects in 2019.

CMB YACHTS TO MAKE AN IMPACT IN THE NEXT DECADE

Having made a name for itself in composite mega yacht production and still impressing everyone with its 46-meter Mystic and 47-meter Orient Star yachts, CMB Yachts is currently running three projects signed by Espen Oeino simultaneously at its shipyard in Antalya. Shipyard Manager and Projects Coordinator Cüneyt Okçu says that the designs of these yachts will make an impact in the next 10 years. Established by Başaran Yatırım Holding in 2006 in the Antalya Free Zone, CMB Yachts has completed the 46-meter Miracle project in addition to the 46- and 47-meter mega yachts currently in the water. Another 46-meter yacht, Magic, and a 47-meter yacht, Mina, are in the production phase at the shipyard. Working with famous designers like Espen Oeino, Tara Bernerd, and Birgit Schnaase, and especially making a name for itself in composite mega yacht production, the shipyard has quickly become one of the most recognized and followed brands worldwide. Serving as the Shipyard Manager and Projects Coordinator at CMB Yachts since 2008, Cüneyt Okçu says, “Seeing our highly respected yachts sailing the seas with all their elegance makes us very proud.” We spoke with Okçu about the shipyard’s history and new projects.

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