In order to become a regional powerhouse in the Eastern Mediterranean basin as well as Adriatic Sea, D-Marin Marinas Group, a Doğuş Group company, goes ahead full speed with its investments in the marina industry. Reaching a capacity of 5,143 berths in its superyacht marinas situated in the beautiful yacht charter destinations – Turkey, Croatia and Greece, D-Marin Marinas Group recently signed a partnership agreement with MedMarinas S.A., part of the Greek Kiriacoulis Group, the largest chain of marinas in Greece.
Zea Marina to be co-managed by D-Marin
Partnering up with Kiriacoulis Mediterranean Cruises Shipping SA in MedMarinas S.A., shareholder and management company of the Gouvia, Lefkas and Zea marinas, by acquiring 51% of MedMarinas shares.
D-Marin Marinas Group added a further 3,355 wet and dry berths to its total capacity. Declaring Doğuş Group as the owner of the largest international chain of marinas in the Eastern Mediterranean basin and Adriatic Sea, CEO Hüsnü Akhan added that: “As Doğuş Group the marina industry is very dear to us and we are striving by the day in this industry to add value to our business. We are greatly proud to be spreading D-Marin’s quality and standards across the Eastern Mediterranean Basin and Adriatic Sea and flying the Turkish flag in international waters.”
Continuing its rapid growth in the marina industry D-Marin Marinas Group added a new investment to its international portfolio by entering into a partnership agreement with Greece’s largest chain of marinas MedMarinas S.A. With a 51% share in MedMarinas S.A. Doğuş Group added three more marinas to its portfolio, becoming the largest international chain of marinas in the Eastern Mediterranean Basin and Adriatic Sea. According to the deal, the following three marinas, which are among the top marinas in Greece will be co-managed by D-Marin: Gouvia in Corfu, Lefkas in Lefkas, and Zea located in the ancient harbour of Pireaus.
Lefkas Marina
D-Marin flags in three more marinas in Greece
D-Marin Marinas Group continues to invest in other international markets that it targets, namely Greece. Recently establishing a 50%-50% partnership with Lamda Development SA, listed on the Athens Stock Exchange, which results in control of the Flivos Marina, D-Marin added an upscale, world class marina to its portfolio offering exclusive services to mega yachts. D-Marin entered into a second agreement in Greece with Kiriacoulis Mediterranean Cruises Shipping SA, also listed on the Athens Stock Exchange. Managed by the Kiriacoulis Family Kiriacoulis Group offers charter services in sea tourism in 28 locations across Turkey, Croatia, Italy, France, Malta and the Caribbean in addition to its marinas.
D-Marin’s capacity in three countries reaches almost 9,000 berths
Signing a 51% partnership deal with Kiriacoulis Group, D-Marin Marinas Group added the Gouvia, Lefkas and Zea marinas to its portfolio, increasing its total capacity in the three countries where it has marina investments to 8,498 berths. While Gouvia has a total of 1,785 berths, 1,235 in the sea and 550 on land, Lefkas in the Lefkas region has 620 berths in the sea and 280 on land, totalling to 900 berths. Located in the ancient harbour of Pireaus, Zea has 670 berths, all in the sea.
Gouvia Marina
“D-Marin now owns the largest international chain of marinas in the Eastern Mediterranean Basin and Adriatic Sea”
Highlighting that Kiriacoulis Group operating in the tourism, construction and real estate industries is one of the reference companies in the region when it comes to the maritime industry, Doğuş Group’s CEO Hüsnü Akhan expressed that with this agreement the company has taken yet another important step towards its enlargement strategy targeting the Eastern Mediterranean Basin and Adriatic Sea. “D-Marin Marinas Group owns the largest international chain of marinas in the Eastern Mediterranean Basin and Adriatic Sea,” said Akhan and added that “The marina industry is very dear to Doğuş Group and we are striving by the day in this industry to add value to our business. We are greatly proud to be spreading D-Marin’s quality and standards across the Eastern Mediterranean Basin and Adriatic Sea and flying the Turkish flag in international waters.”
“We aim to begin constructing D-Marin Dalaman this year”
“As Doğuş Group, we entered the marina industry for the first time in 2003 with D-Marin Turgutreis and continued our marina investments in Turkey over time with D-Marin Didim and D-Marin Göcek,” highlighted Hüsnü Akhan. Speaking of Doğuş Group’s recent activities Akhan added that: “We aim to begin constructing D-Marin Dalaman this year. Located only 10 minutes from the airport, our marina offers yacht owners the comfort of accessing their yachts in a mere 10 minutes after getting off the plane.”
“Sea tourism is crucial for Turkey’s national income”
Doğuş Group’s CEO Hüsnü Akhan drew attention to the fact that all coastline countries are interested in yacht and marina management, which are closely, linked to the tourism, maritime and transportation industries. “One of the main reasons for this is the economic income that it generates in various areas. Compared with other Mediterranean countries, Turkey is surrounded by three seas and therefore has the potential to become the top yachting region in the global sea tourism industry” said Akhan. “Sea tourism accounts for a significant part of tourism revenues, with yacht tourists spending 10 more times per capita than land tourists. Therefore, this industry is crucial in terms of its contribution to national income.”
