With prices ranging from 250,000 TL to 650 million TL, there is something to suit every budget Nearly 350 boats have been put on display at Ataköy Marina in Istanbul
The boat show has begun in Istanbul
Turkey’s largest maritime exhibition, the ‘Bosphorus Boat Show’ – an exhibition of boats, boat equipment and accessories – has opened its doors at Istanbul Ataköy Marina, running from 25 October to 2 November 2025. With boats ranging in price from 250,000 TL to 650 million TL on display, the fair aims to welcome 40,000 visitors over the course of the event. Featuring the latest model boats, the fair hosts over 200 companies and more than 500 brands. Attracting international interest, the fair has also been included in the international exhibition calendar, making a significant contribution to raising the global profile of the Turkish boat industry.
With over 200 companies, more than 500 brands and nearly 350 boats, the Bosphorus Boat Show – Boat, Boat Equipment and Accessories Fair has opened its doors. The opening ceremony was attended by Durmuş Ünüvar, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure; Tamer Kıran, Chairman of the Board of the Istanbul Chamber of Shipping (İMEAK); Murat Bekiroğlu, Chairman of the Board of the Yacht and Boat Industry Association (YATED), Murat Kıran, Chairman of the Board of the Turkish Shipbuilders’ Association (GİSBİR), Dilek Soydan, Founding Partner of ED Fuarcılık, Emel Yılmaz, Founding Partner of ED Fuarcılık, and numerous other guests. The fair, which opened its doors on 25 October, will welcome visitors until 2 November 2025.
Organised by ED Fuarcılık with the support of the Yacht and Boat Industry Association (YATED) and in collaboration with YATED Fuarcılık, under the main sponsorship of the Turkish Shipbuilders’ Association (GİSBİR) and with the permission of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, the exhibition—held on the water—is expected to attract over 40,000 visitors. Bringing together leading brands and the latest technologies in the sector with boat enthusiasts, the fair showcased 2025 and 2026 model boats, ambitious models from Turkey’s leading shipyards, and new models from world-renowned yacht brands for the enjoyment of boat lovers. With boats to suit every budget on display, the fair features nearly 350 vessels ranging in price from 250,000 TL to 650 million TL. The event showcases boats ranging from 3 metres to 33 metres in length; whilst 200 boats are on display on the water, nearly 150 are presented on land for visitors to view.
WORK ON THE CONNECTION CAPACITY IS ONGOING
Speaking at the opening of the exhibition, Durmuş Ünüvar, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, said: “Today, we have a competitive sector. There is a broad value chain spanning shipbuilding, marinas, maintenance and repair, exports, port operations and fishing. All of these make a significant contribution to our country’s development. We are a country that shapes the maritime sector. The presence of our coastlines, which possess rich potential, also presents a major opportunity in terms of tourism. The international recognition of our yacht manufacturers has increased. In terms of total length of orders, we have moved into second place after Italy. Our sector produces high-quality, value-added goods. Our yacht and boat sector is also a major industry alongside its ancillary industries. Our yacht and boat industry is focused on innovation and progress. Significant developments are taking place in many areas. We have also become an important repair and maintenance hub,” he said. Emphasising that work is continuing on mooring facilities, Ünüvar added, “We are also supporting new marina investments to increase mooring capacity. We have two projects in İzmir and Fethiye. Furthermore, we are working on projects that will be implemented without excessive concrete development, where basic maritime services can be accessed, not just marinas.”
WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL ACHIEVE POSITIVE RESULTS
Highlighting the significant successes achieved by the ship and yacht building sector in recent years, Tamer Kıran, President of the Istanbul Chamber of Shipping (DTO), continued: “Whilst demand has been rising recently as part of the green transition, there are serious issues regarding rising costs and access to finance. It is becoming very difficult to sustain this success. We are outlining the steps that need to be taken to enhance our international competitiveness. We are communicating our concerns to all relevant institutions and organisations. We believe these efforts will yield positive results.”
OUR FAIR IS SET TO GROW EVEN FURTHER
Murat Bekiroğlu, Chairman of the Board of the Yacht and Boat Industry Association (YATED), said: “We have moved our exhibition to Ataköy Marina this year. We were struggling to expand due to capacity issues in Pendik. We have secured a comprehensive agreement to move to Ataköy and we are confident that we will continue to organise successful exhibitions from now on. We aim to grow even further next year. From the very first year, far more boat and equipment brands participated in our fair than in the previous year. We believe that the nine–day fair will make a significant contribution to our sector.” Highlighting the challenges facing the sector, Bekiroğlu noted that the removal of VAT exemption and the introduction of excise duty on boats under 24 metres have particularly put domestic boat manufacturers under pressure, and he emphasised that they have held discussions with the relevant authorities on this matter.
LET US PRESERVE THE OCEANS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
Murat Kıran, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Shipbuilders’ Association (GİSBİR), emphasised that a great many organisations and individuals had contributed to this exhibition, stating that the event was of great value to the sector. Noting that challenges within the sector are inevitable, Murat Kıran said, “Our country will keep pace with global dynamics. This country has seen and experienced a great deal. We just need to remain determined. Even if economies stall, our sector and our fair will not.” Speaking on the importance of keeping the seas clean and environmental awareness, Kıran added, “The environment is vital for all of us. Boat users must not view the sea as a completely unrestricted space. No one should fall into the mindset of thinking, ‘I can do whatever I want at sea.’ Let’s leave a sea for future generations to use. Work is being carried out by all institutions for this purpose. We need to make more investment, particularly in infrastructure. We need to act in cooperation. We want to bring our people together with the sea and make them love it. However, there are 135,000 registered boats, and we have a mooring capacity of nearly 40,000. High prices are emerging in marinas. There is a problem with launching boats in the Mediterranean. In Europe, people use their boats, then take them ashore and park them in their garden or at a car park. It is not necessary for everyone to have a marina or mooring space. However, systems must be in place to bring these boats ashore.” he said.
