2023 November December Marina World

WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENTS
Welcoming
megayachts to
Istanbul
Atakoy Marina and Atakoy Mega Yacht Marina are core elements in the Istanbul
Tourism Centre (ITC) mega project to make the Istanbul seafront a new
destination for the city. Newly appointed general manager, Artun Ertem, brings
extensive industry experience to a role that is focused on putting Atakoy Mega
Yacht Marina firmly on the superyacht circuit.
Atakoy Marina, built over 30 years
ago with over 850 berths, remains
at the forefront of the Turkish marina
sector. It was the first marina in Turkey
to earn 5 Gold Anchors from The Yacht
Harbour Association (TYHA) and
has retained the anchors since 1989,
along with Blue Flag accreditation.
“Our marina is a kind of flagship for the
Turkish marina industry,” Artun Ertem
says. “And out main goal is to keep the
service level as high as possible.”
The adjacent Mega Yacht Marina is
a much newer facility, built with 232
berths for vessels of 25-100m (82-
330ft). It is the only marina in Turkey to
be designed and built specifically for
superyachts but for various reasons
has attracted few boats.
“Atakoy Marina is currently at over
110% capacity and all new enquiries
are forwarded to the new basin,”
Ertem explains. “Atakoy Mega Yacht
Marina started accepting yachts for
the first time in 2016 but, unfortunately,
geopolitical situations and the
pandemic have negatively affected
operations of the new facility.”
Owners, Dati Holding – a
development, investment and
management company founded
by experienced nautical industry
professionals in 2004 – stepped in.
“Dati Holding focused its concentration
on securing an extension of the
concession lease period until 2070
and this goal has been successfully
achieved. As of the beginning of the
spring season, we have monitored
increased traffic of megayachts in the
marina compared to previous years. We
see this as a positive indicator for future
occupancy projections for the facility.”
The concrete floating pontoon system
in Atakoy Marina was built and supplied
by SF Marina and the floating concrete
pontoons for the Mega Yacht Marina
were custom-built by a Turkish concrete
pontoon manufacturer. There are also
quay walls in the Mega Yacht Marina,
which are ideal for hosting some of the
larger vessels. Services are provided
via Plus dockside pedestals, and onsite
facilities are plentiful, including
restaurants, cafés, supermarket, health
and sports centre, swimming pools,
tennis courts, a children’s playground
and 5 star hotel.
Both marinas also have boatyards:
“One is operated by the marina and
the other is expected to become
operational as of 2025. At the moment,
Artun Ertem (inset) is focused on putting
Atakoy Mega Yacht Marina (left) firmly on
the superyacht circuit.
the lifting and launching operations
are undertaken with a 75 ton Marine
Travelift. The Mega Yacht Marina is
expected to have a 300 ton travel hoist
and a boat mover. There is a possibility
that we may franchise our boatyard
so we would be open to proposals by
interested parties,” Ertem says.
Atakoy also benefits from being a
core element of the ITC project. The
Port Galleria plan, which surrounds
the landside of the marina, offers a
shopping mall, leisure and activities
facilities and a conference centre. There
are also four major hotels and Marina
Park private residences.
Safety, security and environmental
management are a big focus.
“Environmental sensitivity is a top
priority for the marina management and
all team members. We have a tenant
operating the fuel station facility and
the marina has a full capacity pump-out
service established in line with the legal
obligations.”
“The marina management team has
prepared an extensive risk analysis and
action plan as part of its environmental
management approach. An Emergency
Response Plan is also a significant
part of this task. All works have
been undertaken in line with existing
legislations and codes of practice.
www.marinaworld.com – November/December 2023
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