650 Euros in Monaco, 1200 Euros in Gocek

Yacht and Boat Industry Association (YATED) President Murat Bekiroğlu said, “A 42-meter boat that can stay in the marina for 650 Euros per day in Monaco pays 1200 Euros in Göcek. “A 20-meter boat that can stay in Bodrum for 700 Euros can be moored for even 35 Euros if it goes to Greece,” he says. Bekiroğlu recommends that marina investments be put into operation quickly.

The new Board of Directors of the Yacht and Boat Industry Association (YATED), which took office in February 2023, announced the developments, problems, future goals and projects in the yacht and boat industry.

Murat Bekiroğlu, Chairman of YATED Board of Directors, said, “While the intense interest in the Turkish seas and bays makes it difficult to find space in marinas, increasing boat and yacht mooring prices have begun to put pressure on boat and yacht owners, from the smallest to the largest. Many boats go to marinas in nearby countries. In fact, Turkey’s paradise bays have turned into ‘boat parks’. The biggest threat to the boat and yacht industry is insufficient capacity in marinas and rising prices. The reason for the increase in prices is the supply and demand balance. There are currently between 25-30 marinas in Turkey. Their total mounting capacity is around 6,500. In the first stage, the capacity needs to be increased very quickly by at least 50 percent. It would be beneficial to make new investments on appropriate treasury lands, not on Turkey’s paradise bays. The private sector and investors need incentives and support for marina investments. “With the new investments to be made, the supply-demand balance will be achieved and the way for our country to earn more foreign currency will be opened.” he said.

ANYONE WHO SEES MARINA PRICES TAKES A STEP BACK

Stating that the occupancy in marinas and rising boat mooring prices also affect those who want to start maritime, Murat Bekiroğlu continued his words as follows: “Those who want to start maritime with boats of 8-10 meters in length are stuck with marina prices. For example, those who want to buy a boat worth 30-40 thousand Euros and go to sea take a step back when they see the prices in marinas. In other words, we are offending people even as we begin maritime activities in our country, which is surrounded by seas on three sides. That’s why it is necessary to build sea landing ramps and marinas as soon as possible.

INTERESTING EXAMPLES ARE EMERGED

However, now we are faced with very interesting examples. In Monaco, France, which is the center of Europe, the daily mooring price for a 42-meter boat in the marina in high season is 650 Euros. When the same boat comes to Göcek and wants to enter the marina, a fee of 1,200 Euros is requested for one day.

BODRUM-GREECE DIFFERENCE

We also have very high prices compared to marinas in countries such as Greece, Italy and Croatia, which are famous for their bays in Europe. While a boat wanting to enter a marina in Bodrum pays 700 Euros per day, there are places in Greece where you can stay for 35 Euros per day. Our relevant ministries need to determine pilot locations in the regions starting from Antalya to Istanbul. Initiatives should be initiated to make marina investments in designated places. “There is much more mooring capacity in Greece and Turkey.”