Istanbul is famed for its cultural heritage as it cradles both the eastern and western hemispheres. It's diverse, aromatic and thriving. The city is rich in history as the meandering streets and lively bazaars are just one counterpart of the charisma and charm of Istanbul. Another lesser-known facet of the city is its strong ecosystem for shipbuilding and repairs. Istanbul is the only city in the world to span two continents – and the local shipyards and yacht maintenance facilities certainly tap into this. 
Photo: West Istanbul MarinaWest Istanbul Marina is one such facility that embodies the local spirit of diversity, as not only can it berth 600 yachts up to 90 metres in length, catering to all needs of crew, guests and captains with impressive facilities and numerous bars and restaurants, but it also has a large shipyard that maintains and refits around 35 projects a year.
We caught up with Aleksandra Podlipna, Technical and Marketing Manager of West Istanbul Marina to hear all about the site as well as the recent and current projects being worked on at the shipyard. 
“Our complex is huge,” Aleksandra explained. “We are a shipyard and marina that provides the full service for yachts up to 90 metres in length. When visitors moor up at West Istanbul Marina they have access to all our facilities; we have a large fitness suite with a spa and swimming pool, as well as numerous bars, restaurants on site. We make great use of the outdoor areas too, and have a number of tennis courts at our marina.”
Photo: West Istanbul MarinaAs West Istanbul Marina is also well versed in maintenance and refitting it has an impressive portfolio that pays testament to the team’s ability at turning projects around swiftly, to a top standard and likely at a “more reasonable price than other yards,” Aleksandra added. 
“As we are such a large site, we can facilitate extensive work on multiple large projects at a time. We have a large wet dock and a 700 tonne travel lift that allows us to shore-up yachts up to 60 metres in length onto our dry dock. As we cooperate with other local shipyards, such as Bilgin Yachts, we can welcome and work on yachts even larger.”
There are three projects in particular that West Istanbul Marina completed in recent years that pay testament to its refit prowess: a 50 metre motor yacht by Royal Hakvoort; a Bilgin Yachts’ 52-metre motor yacht and an 85 metre motor yacht by Lürssen Yachts. 
Photo: West Istanbul Marina
“We welcomed the 85-metre Lürssen in 2019 for an extensive six-month refit appointment,” Aleksandra said. “The project was a crucial one that marked a turning point for not only West Istanbul Marina, but for the whole marine industry in Turkey. Detailed calculations had to be made so we could completely repaint her while she stayed in the water; we needed to build a construction around her and ensure the temperature remained consistent throughout the job, for both the yacht and the paint. After completing the project, we invited John McCormack, an independent expert, who was highly impressed with our work.” 
The ecosystem that West Istanbul Marina has fostered over the years – which has been spurred on by the commitment to “meet the client’s needs,” Aleksandra explained – has built a strong local rapport with vendors and other ship makers. Not only, then, can West Istanbul Marina conduct work at other shipyards when necessary, but they also have a bank of suppliers they can fall back on to ensure that they can always complete their projects on time and at a reasonable price.
West Istanbul Marina currently has a few 50 metre yachts on its hard standing that are undergoing full maintenance appointments. The work is expansive, and for most includes an overhaul of the hydraulic systems, engines and other mechanical parts. As well as a renewal of areas of the interior design. “We also have a 36.25-metre AB 116 moored with us that will be repainted with a metallic finish.
A major forthcoming refit project that West Istanbul Marina has penned in for this year is a 76-metre motor yacht by Feadship.