Positioned directly on the waterfront, the development marks a clear structural shift for the Turkish yard as it separates yacht construction from its commercial and military operations.
A Purpose-Built Campus for Yacht Construction
Under the new plan, RMK Marine’s existing Tuzla facilities will focus solely on commercial and defense projects. Yacht production will relocate to Yalova, where the company is establishing a fully specialized campus under the RMK Yachts name. Relocation is scheduled to begin in the final quarter of 2026, with full operational capacity targeted for 2027.
The move is intended to increase output across both sectors while creating distinct production environments tailored to their specific technical and cultural requirements.
Designed Around the Demands of Yacht Building
The Yalova campus has been conceived with the particular demands of custom superyacht construction in mind - aesthetic precision, engineering discipline, and long-term operational reliability. The architectural layout, production flow, material logistics, and workforce environment have all been planned as part of an integrated framework rather than as incremental expansions of existing facilities.
Cüneyt Okcu, Director of RMK Yachts, described the project as an investment not just in infrastructure, but in craftsmanship and intellectual capital. The yard’s leadership has positioned the development as a long-term cultural project, designed to shape how yachts are conceived and delivered as much as how they are built.
The campus will include modern production workshops and enclosed hangars, alongside offices designed with maritime references. Social infrastructure forms part of the plan, with dedicated gyms, cafés, training and relaxation areas for personnel, guest suites, and hospitality spaces for owners and project partners.
The true value of a shipyard is not defined by its machinery, but by the intellect, craftsmanship and creativity it produces. The new spirit of RMK Yachts is rooted precisely in this perspective."
- Cüneyt Okcu, Director of RMK Yachts
In parallel, RMK Yachts is collaborating with the Rahmi M. Koç Museum to establish a yachting museum on site. Docking and marina services covering approximately 5,000 square meters will be developed in partnership with Setur Marina, extending the campus beyond pure construction into a broader maritime hub.
Technical Infrastructure and Operational Capacity
The new yard’s technical footprint is substantial. The facility will feature three 30 x 120-meter hangars dedicated to new-build projects, alongside two additional hangars - one measuring 40 x 80 meters and another 35 x 55 meters - allocated for refit operations.
A 10,000-square-meter open refit area will complement the enclosed spaces, while a total quay length of 700 meters will support outfitting and commissioning. Launch and haul-out operations will be handled by two travel lifts with capacities of 720 tonnes and 320 tonnes.
A floating dock is also planned as part of the investment, enabling the handling of vessels up to 150 meters in length. The scale of the infrastructure signals clear intent to compete at the upper end of the megayacht market, while retaining refit capabilities as a parallel revenue stream.
Sustainability and Long-Term Strategy
Sustainability forms a central pillar of the Yalova development. The yard has been designed in line with LEED certification standards, with renewable energy integration, energy-efficient systems, and low-carbon operational planning embedded from the outset.
Rather than treating environmental performance as an add-on, the project integrates efficiency and ecological considerations into its structural planning. The goal is to create a facility capable of meeting evolving regulatory requirements and shifting owner expectations over the coming decades.
RMK Marine CEO Dr. Utku Alanç described the strategy as a deliberate separation of disciplines. By dedicating Tuzla to commercial and military production and Yalova to motor yacht construction, the company aims to deepen specialization in each sector. The approach is designed to expand capacity while fostering distinct production cultures suited to their respective markets.
Inside RMK’s Current Pipeline
Alongside its new Yalova facility, RMK Yachts maintains an active order book of three large custom projects. Due for delivery in 2026 is the 50m Aries, designed by Hot Lab, with naval architecture by RMK Yachts. Just under 500 GT, she offers 5,000 nautical miles of range at 10 knots and is currently on the market. Looking further ahead, the 58m Project Orca - due in 2027 - pushes to 1,000 GT and 5,000 nautical miles at 12 knots, reinforcing the yard’s focus on capable displacement platforms.
Aries is listed for sale on YachtBuyer with a price upon request. Project Orca is also on the market with United Yacht Sales and is currently asking $49,644,000.
Also delivering in 2026 is the 65m RMK 126, an ice-class expedition yacht designed inside and out by ER Yacht Design. Built with a steel hull and aluminum superstructure, she spans 1,451 GT and accommodates 12 guests with up to 20 crew, signaling clear intent in the long-range explorer segment.
In parallel, RMK continues development of its LIVIA series, unveiled at the Monaco Yacht Show 2025. The 72m LIVIA 72 at 1,700 GT and the sub-500 GT LIVIA 50, both developed with Red Yacht Design, introduce hybrid propulsion and a sustainability-led design framework that aligns directly with the ambitions of the new Yalova campus.
With relocation beginning in late 2026 and full operational capability expected in 2027, the coming two years will mark a transition phase for the Turkish builder. If delivered as planned, the Yalova campus will stand among the most technically advanced yacht production facilities in Türkiye, with capacity to support new builds up to 150 meters alongside significant refit activity.
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