Heritage
Early 1900’s..Salacak, İstanbul
Hüseyin the Master (1887-1916) has a boathouse in Salacak, Istanbul. At the time Salacak craftsmen were building boats for the Abdulhamid II’s royal palace.
1920’s… Ayvansaray, Istanbul
Hüseyin dies in the Battle of Gallipoli. His son Mustafa Şengün (1907-1996), colloquially known as ‘Topik Mustafa’, follows his father’s footsteps.
1930’s… Ayvansaray, Istanbul
Two boat frames were raised, ready for the hull construction… Topik Mustafa grows at shipyards with his associate craftsmen Harun Ülman (1900-1977), one of the first marine engineers of Turkey.
1935, Moda Deniz Klubü, Istanbul
Atatürk visits Moda Deniz Klubü, in which well known boat builder Harun Ülman was among the founders.
Late 1940’s… Ayvansaray, Istanbul
Hüseyin Şengün (1929-2011) spends his youth in his father’s boat house and gets training from Harun Ülman.
1957, Ayvansaray, Istanbul
Hüseyin Şengün (1929-2011) establishes a private workshop in Ayvansaray, pushing the limits of the family’s expertise into bigger, more luxurious boats.
1964, Ayvansaray, Istanbul
The two brothers, Bilgin Şengün (1949) and Mustafa Şengün (1955-2014), grow up working with their father at the shipyard.
Late 1960’s… Ayvansaray, Istanbul
Bilgin Şengün (1949) learns the craftsmanship of boat building eventually gaining own unique artisan skills to work independently of his father.
Early 1970’s… Ayvansaray, Istanbul
Mustafa Şengün (1955-2014) works on a rowing boat for infamous Sadun Boro – the first Turkish seaman to sail around the world.
1975… Küçükçekmece, Istanbul
The family focus efforts on 10 to 20 meter motor boat range for the local market, moving the business to İç Kumsal area in Küçükçekmece, in the previous year.
1980’s… Küçükçekmece, Istanbul
Four generations proudly gather in front of a handcrafted yacht due to be launched…
1981, Küçükçekmece, Istanbul
Bilgin Yachts receives wide spread national media attention for carrying multiple boats overland like Mehmed the Conquerer.
1984, Küçükçekmece, Istanbul
A large 18 meter state of the art motor yacht launches from Menekşe Beach.
1986, Küçükçekmece, Istanbul
Historic portrait of Şengün family intimately gathered in front of a newly finished motor yacht.
1987, Küçükçekmece, Istanbul
16 meter Finesse ready to be sent off to the Istanbul waters watched by proud craftsman team.
1992, Küçükçekmece, Istanbul
A dual propeller hoists up ready to be launched for one of Bilgin’s dedicated and loyal customers.
1995, Küçükçekmece, Istanbul
One of two 18 and 22 meter boats being transported to Ataköy Marina. Through cooperation with marinas Bilgin expanded its business to meet increased demand.
1996, 5th generation is on the go
The shipyard moves to latest facilities in Küçükçekmece and launch is larger boats in a especially built marina.
2002, First international delivery
The company brakes ground again and enters the international with the sale of Santa Maria to a respected Russian client.
2004, Imparotore
Bilgin Yachts gets wider international orders from UK, USA, and France after the delivery of the Imparatore to a Greek client.
2010, Bilgin gets awarded
Future deliveries of the 33.50m M/Y MADNESS in May and the M/Y INDIANA and M/Y TEE-DJE in July establishes the business to become the winner of the 3rd Biggest Ship and Yacht Exporter awards in Turkey.
2010, a glorious year of 4 deliveries
First delivery of the 37.50m M/Y RL NOOR, interior diligently created by the award winning Italian design office Hot Lab.
2011, Tatiana
TATIANA, a 45 metre superyacht designed by renowned Joachim Kinder, is launched. The same year BILGIN 123/RL NOOR wins Boat International Best Interior Design Award.
2012, Timeless
Bilgin 160 Classic M&M renamed the M/Y TIMELESS being launched. She receives the World Yacht Trophy for Best Design at the Cannes Yachting Festival.
2012, Ocean Club (EX.M)
H2 designed reverse-bow superyacht M, showcases a typically aggressive exterior style, is launched.
2014, Elada
The majestic Elada, another H2 reverse-bow super yacht, is rolled off the production line.
2015, Dusur
The megayacht DUSUR – a yacht in a class of its own – builds Bilgin into the world of the biggest international players in the high-end boat market.
2015, Clarity
BILGIN 160 Classic, casually known as the CLARITY, is launched. The 80 metre order, the biggest boat to be built in Turkey to date, signed by a highly satisfied Indian client.
2016, Gioala-Lu
BILGIN 263-II was purchased. The construction for West Istanbul Marina facility took a start. BILGIN 155 (Giaola-Lu) was delivered. New marine furniture workshop was launched. Bilgin Yachts was listed in the 2016 Global Order Book
2017, the largest Bilgin is on the way!
Bilgin Yachts Shipyard started the year with the spectacular BILGIN 155 delivered to Mexico while launching the first unit of Bilgin 156 (ex-Nerissa). Meanwhile, production continues for the 80-meter record-breaking superyacht.
Construction of 80m Bilgin 263 series
2019 – Being a part of the SYBASS in the beginning of the year, Bilgin Yachts started new projects of the 67 meter Bilgin 220 and 85 meter superyacht while continuing the construction of three units of 80 meter Bilgin 263 series, one of which is planned to be launched in the end of 2019 and will be the largest yacht to be launched in Turkey up to date.. Meanwhile, 47.5 meter Starburst III (ex-Nerissa) was sold in spring and following that the sistership of this yacht, Lilium was launched and made her debut during MYS 2019.
Launch of the flagship
The 80-meter Tatiana became the largest private yacht that has ever been built in Turkey, while she was also the flagship of Bilgin at the time.
Impressive debut in MYS
After getting all the interest in the superyacht industry, 80M Tatiana had her debut during 2021 Monaco Yacht Show
Bilgin celebrated the new year with a 74M technical launch
Bilgin 243, a brand-new 74-meter superyacht, arrived at the main quarters of the shipyard for the finishing touches.
Third hull of Bilgin 263 sold
Bilgin crowned the success of 263 series with the sale of the third unit. The 80-meter Project Silence offers 20% larger volume as well as various technical improvements, additional features for greater comfort and autonomy at sea compared to her sistership Tatiana.
Finalist for the design awards
Bilgin Yachts’ 80-meter motor yacht Tatiana is nominated in the 2022 edition of the prestigious Boat International Design and Innovation Awards in four categories. These categories are “Outstanding Exterior Motor Yachts -60m and above”, “Best Interior Design, Motor Yachts 500GT and above”, “Best Naval Architecture, Displacement Motor Yachts”, and “Outstanding Lifestyle Feature” with her beach club.
The first hull of Bilgin 163 sees technical launch
The very first unit of the new 50-meter Bilgin 163 received a technical launch at Bilgin Yachts’ facilities in Istanbul. With exterior design and naval architecture by Unique Yacht Design and interior design by Hot Lab, this 50-meter yacht is as trendy and comfortable as her predecessors Snow 5 and Starburst III.
The second hull of Bilgin 163 sees technical launch
Four months after the technical launch of the first unit of 50-meter Bilgin 163 series, the second unit received her technical launch at Bilgin Yachts’ facilities. With exterior design and naval architecture by Unique Yacht Design and interior design by Hot Lab, this yacht has a six-cabin layout and 20% larger living areas compared to 48m yachts.
Second hull of Bilgin 263 launched
Bilgin Yachts launched the sistership of the flagship of the company: the new Bilgin 263, also named Leona, offers exclusive living spaces onboard. The 80-meter yacht designed by Unique Yacht Design and H2 Yacht Design will make her world debut in 2023.
An explorer yacht in the new facility built in the Antalya Free Zone
Bilgin announced the launch of the 42-meter explorer yacht Kasif, built in the shipyard’s new additional facility in the Antalya Free Zone.
Leona wins top honors for Outstanding Exterior Design
Leona has won the first place in the category “Outstanding Exterior Design - Motor Yachts, 60m and above” at the BOAT International Design & Innovation Awards 2024.
First launch of the year: Bilgin 163-I, Eternal Spark
Bilgin launched he 50-meter Bilgin 163 yacht “Eternal Spark,” exemplifying new standards of luxury and innovation.
Technical launch of the first 53-meter yacht
Unique Yacht Design from Turkiye and Hot Lab from Italy have collaborated on the exceptional 52m Bilgin 170, culminating in a technical launch that showcases meticulous planning and craftsmanship.