At the 2023 Monaco Yacht Show, one of the largest boat builders in Europe, ARES Shipyard, unveiled its new superyacht brand: ARES YACHTS. With a long tradition of shipbuilding and sailing, ARES Shipyard has already built a solid reputation for its naval, utility and support vessels, having delivered over 230 vessels to more than 15 countries to date. Now, the shipyard is looking to expand further into the luxury yachting arena.
ARES YACHTS will benefit from its parent company's exceptional facilities, which include carpentry, composite, metal, and electric workshops, all of which are equipped with the latest advanced technology and machinery. The combination of using both this existing production site alongside ARES Shipyard’s skilled workforce gives the newly established yachting brand a major advantage.
Projects Underway
Despite the official announcement of the ARES YACHTS brand taking place in Monaco, ARES Shipyard has nevertheless quietly been working on yachting projects for some time.
This includes 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. She features a carbon-epoxy superstructure, all-aluminium masts and rigging design by Chris Mitchell. With her 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 of Simena 61.61-metre steel hulled cruising ketch]
ARES YACHTS also has the 50-metre motor yacht Spitfire under construction. The 499 GT vessel has been designed in collaboration with Lateral Naval Architects and Bannenberg & Rowell Design and represents the natural evolution of BOLD’s proven hull form, thanks to its hybrid propulsion enabling the motor yacht to 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 - with the range spanning 65m, 75m and 85m - which are characterised by a unified technical narrative and a distinctive design language. ARES YACHTS’ commitment to innovation spans the entire range, centring around an advanced diesel-electric system integrated with pods.
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. Those behind ARES YACHTS are currently in the tender phase of selecting the exterior and interior design partners for this distinguished range.
Going Forward
ARES YACHTS will undertake full custom projects above 500 GT and up to 90 metres LOA. From the first lines to the final flourishes of each floating work of art, ARES' expertise shines through, ensuring that every detail bears testament to the client's vision. As Kalafatoğlu emphasizes: “Whether it’s a sleek and modern superyacht or a majestic ocean explorer, we aim to redefine what is possible on the big blue.”
With its extensive experience in shipbuilding and a strong commitment to innovation, ARES YACHTS is well-positioned to make a significant impact on the superyacht industry. The shipyard's focus on full custom projects above 500 GT and up to 90 metres LOA means that it will be competing with some of the most established names in the business. However, with its impressive facilities and skilled workforce, ARES YACHTS has the potential to create truly unique and groundbreaking superyachts.
We are particularly interested to see how ARES YACHTS incorporates alternative types of energy, such as methanol, into its superyacht designs. This could be a major step forward in terms of sustainability and could make ARES YACHTS a leader in the field of eco-friendly superyachting.
Overall, we are very excited about the launch of ARES YACHTS and I look forward to seeing what the shipyard produces in the years to come.
