It all started with our passion for classic yachts

Bringing the knowledge and experience of its founding partners to the world of yachting, MCE Yachts offers sea enthusiasts an unforgettable journey on Turkey's unique coasts by prioritizing aesthetics and sustainability. Ceyda Hilal Ifci, Co-Founder of MCE Yachts, which brings classic yachts back to life with modern touches, emphasizes the unique feeling of classic yachts and their place in the modern maritime world.

A graduate of Public Relations, International Trade and Logistics, Ceyda Hilal Eğerci, Co-Founder of MCE Yachts, is currently pursuing a master's degree in logistics and supply chain. Ceyda Hilal Eğerci, who started her career in this sector 4 years ago at MCE KARGO and said that she gained valuable experience in the logistics sector during this time, has been continuing her career at MCE YACHTS, of which she is the co-founder for the last 1 year.

Stating that she adopts an innovative and solution-oriented approach in her business life, Ms. Eğerci said, "I have always aimed to provide the best service to our customers and to manage logistics processes in the most efficient way. With MCE YACHTS, we maintain the same quality and customer satisfaction-oriented service approach in the field of maritime tourism. I aim to make a difference with both my experience in the logistics sector and my initiatives in this new business area."

Turkey has great potential

Stating that the yacht charter and yacht management sector in Turkey has shown a great development in recent years, Ms. Eğerci said, "Especially the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts have become attractive destinations for yacht tourism. Regions such as Bodrum, Marmaris, Göcek and Fethiye are some of the centers of yacht tourism. However, in order for the sector to develop further and meet international standards, some deficiencies need to be completed and improvement steps need to be taken. Although the number and capacity of marinas in Turkey has increased in recent years, they are still struggling to meet demand in the summer months, especially in popular destinations. New marinas need to be built and the capacities of existing marinas need to be increased. Turkey's yacht tourism potential needs to be better promoted internationally. The country's attractiveness can be increased through participation in international fairs, the development of digital marketing strategies and the establishment of international collaborations. Special incentives and supports can be provided for yacht construction and maintenance. Thus, the sector can be expanded by encouraging domestic production. Yacht tourism should not be limited to the summer season, but should be supported by different tourism activities such as winter tourism, cultural tours and special events. In conclusion, it is clear that Turkey has great potential in yacht charter and management. However, in order to fully utilize this potential, the sector needs to be developed in various areas."

We see that we made the right decision in establishing MCE Yachts

Explaining the story of MCE Yachts from yesterday to today, Ms. Eğerci said, "As MCE Kargo, we were already carrying out our activities in the maritime sector. We decided to carry this experience, which our business has given us over the years, to the yachting sector and established MCE Yachts, which we can call a boutique company. The interest and high demand we have seen recently show us more and more clearly every day how we have made the right decision in this regard."

Our passion for classic yachts

Speaking about MCE Yachts' success in the field of classic yachts, Ms. Eğerci said, "It all started with our passion for classic yachts. The boats created by world-renowned Turkish designers and great masters were our focal point. After we bought our first boat, Shiraz, the feeling of a classic yacht further reinforced our existing passion. But I think the real turning point for us was Larimar. We can say that the inclusion of an iconic boat like Larimar in our lives clarified the path we wanted to walk."

MCE Yatchs services

Speaking about MCE Yachts' fleet, Ms. Eğerci said, "As MCE Yachts, we provide classic yacht buying and selling, new build, refit, charter and boat consultancy services. We also host boutique events for our guests with our iconic boat Larimar. Our general focus is on classic motor yachts. In addition to this, our sailing boat named Knidos in the Tirhandil style, which is a Bodrum heritage, has recently joined our fleet."

Our renovated yachts shine like stars

Saying that the refit process, i.e. the maintenance and renovation process, does not only bring classic boats to the seas, Ms. Eğerci said, "At the same time, we also restore the boat to its former glittering days and make them shine like a star in Turkey's unique seas. It is very valuable for us to witness and experience this process as a necessity of our job. As you can see from our passion for classics, it was inevitable for us to use old and rare accessories in our offices. We collected each piece one by one, over time, from carefully recycled ships. That's why we think that our Istanbul and Bodrum offices are not just offices, but special spaces where you will continue to feel like you are at sea." 

Classics are timeless boats

Commenting on the current increase in interest in classic design yachts, Ifci said, "Classics are timeless boats. I think it is also very important for sustainability to be able to use a good classic boat made by a good designer safely and with pleasure for many years. We can even say that it is the exact equivalent of true sustainability. When we talk about our boats, we often emphasize "Classic but dynamic" and we want to tell sea enthusiasts that they can enjoy the pleasure of a classic boat and the comfort of a modern boat at the same time. We think that the interest in classics will increase even more over time. Our favorite routes are the Bosphorus, Golden Horn and the islands. Of course, Bodrum bays are indispensable for the summer season."

Recommendations for sea enthusiasts

Giving advice to sea enthusiasts, Ms. Eğerci said, "In Turkey's unique seas, we want to see more of our classic boats that carry a deep soul beneath their aesthetic appearance and stand the test of time. As our world-renowned designer Tanju Kalaycıoğlu said, "Our classic boats are our national treasures" and we should protect them better. We have many exciting projects that we plan to realize in the coming days. In time, we will be announcing them all on our social media accounts. However, we already have some very exciting news that we would like to share with you: We will prepare Knidos and participate in the Bodrum Tirhandil Cup. We will also exhibit our Larimar and Leylim boats at the Bosphorus Boat Show, which will take place at Marintürk Istanbul City Port Pendik between October 26 - November 3, 2024.