ISTANBUL, TÜRKIYE – The Turkish shipyard Bilgin Yachts has announced the successful delivery of M/Y Al Reem, marking the triumphant conclusion to its highly acclaimed 80-meter superyacht series. Following her launch in late 2024, the formidable vessel was officially handed over to her owner on July 14, 2024, and has since embarked on her maiden voyage.
Al Reem is now charting a course for the Mediterranean, where she will make her debut for the summer season, beginning in the celebrated bays of Bodrum, Türkiye. As the third and final yacht in a series that has significantly elevated Bilgin's global standing, Al Reem represents an evolution of a proven platform, pushing the boundaries of volume, design, and customization.
A New Benchmark in Volume and Design
Since its introduction, the Bilgin 80-meter series has been a source of industry recognition and national pride. The lineage began with M/Y Tatiana, which made headlines in 2020 as the largest yacht ever constructed in Türkiye at the time of her launch. She was followed by M/Y Leona in 2023, a vessel that garnered international accolades, including the "Outstanding Exterior Design" award at the 2024 BOAT International Design & Innovation Awards.
While sharing the same 80-meter platform, Al Reem distinguishes herself decisively from her predecessors. The exterior, penned by the creative team at Unique Yacht Design, focuses on maximizing interior space and enhancing the yacht's aesthetic presence. This effort resulted in an impressive gross tonnage of 1,758 GT, nearly 100 GT more than the first yacht in the series, Tatiana.
"While Al Reem is the youngest sister in this series, she is the most voluminous," states Emrecan Özgün, Founder and CEO of Unique Yacht Design. "To achieve this, we completely redesigned the superstructure, creating smooth, flowing lines and an imposing yet elegant profile." This redesign was not merely about adding space but about refining the yacht’s character on the water.
An Evolved and Striking Exterior
The exterior modifications conceived by Unique Yacht Design give Al Reem a distinct and assertive personality. The most noticeable change is her mast, which is 20% larger than those on Tatiana and Leona and finished in a contemporary gray paint. This feature, combined with a superstructure painted in a striking combination of metallic gray-white and black, creates a bold and modern aesthetic.
Further distinguishing the yacht is an expansive foredeck crafted entirely from teak, a choice that adds a touch of classic warmth to her otherwise cutting-edge profile. The design philosophy emphasizes a direct connection with the marine environment. This is achieved through significantly larger glass panels in the main and upper living rooms, immersing guests in the seascape. Additionally, the aft decks were extended to provide 20% more outdoor living space, creating vast, open areas for entertainment and relaxation.
Interiors Crafted for Serenity and Luxury
For the interior, Bilgin Yachts continued its successful collaboration with the renowned London-based H2 Yacht Design, the same firm responsible for the celebrated interiors of Tatiana and Leona. However, for Al Reem, the owner’s vision called for a completely new direction—an atmosphere centered on calmness, purity, and relaxation.
Jonny Horsfield, founder of H2 Yacht Design, described the approach: "We developed a completely new interior aesthetic for Al Reem, focusing on a light and neutral palette that feels fresh yet calming on the soul." The result is a design that radiates sophisticated and timeless elegance, achieved through a meticulously curated selection of materials.
The key elements of the interior include:
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Warmth and Texture: Matt timbers provide a warm, organic base that harmonizes with other elements.
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Modern Contrast: Polished stainless steel details are used to add a sleek, modern, and striking contrast throughout the spaces.
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Understated Opulence: Plush cream leather upholsters wall panels and accents, contributing to a comfortable and inviting atmosphere.
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Quiet Luxury: The flooring is a refined mix of wood and soft silk carpets, enhancing the sense of quiet luxury underfoot.
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Natural Artistry: Select marbles with unique veining patterns act as eye-catching focal points, showcasing natural beauty and fine craftsmanship.
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Dynamic Light: Intricate decorative glass elements are integrated to refract light, creating a shimmering interplay that adds depth and dynamism.
This blend of materials, according to Horsfield, culminates in a sophisticated ambiance that expertly balances cutting-edge design with enduring luxury.
A Layout Connected to the Sea
The owner's brief was translated into a layout that prioritizes multifunctional spaces and an open-plan feel to encourage a strong connection with nature. One of the most compelling features is the forward-facing owner's suite, which offers an expansive 300-degree panoramic view and provides a direct, private link to the surrounding environment.
The owner's intention to use Al Reem primarily for personal leisure, seeking peaceful moments in secluded locations worldwide, heavily influenced the yacht’s configuration. The design incorporates numerous lounging areas and well-appointed outdoor decks that cater to an immersive and restorative onboard experience.
Technical Specifications and Performance
Underneath her elegant exterior, Al Reem is an engineered vessel built for comfort and capability. Her full-displacement hull is constructed from steel, topped with an aluminum superstructure for stability and performance.
Key Technical Data:
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Length Overall (LOA): 80.00 meters
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Gross Tonnage: 1,758 GT
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Beam: 12.25 meters
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Hull Material: Steel
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Superstructure Material: Aluminum
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Main Engines: 2 x MTU 16V 4000M73
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Maximum Speed: 19 knots
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Cruising Speed: 15 knots
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Range: 5,000+ nautical miles at economical speed
Powered by twin MTU engines, she is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 19 knots and cruises comfortably at 15 knots. Her impressive range of over 5,000 nautical miles allows for extensive global exploration, aligning perfectly with the owner’s vision.
Concluding a Landmark Series
The delivery of Al Reem is a significant milestone for Bilgin Yachts, concluding a series that has firmly established the shipyard as a world-class builder of large, custom superyachts. The project highlights the yard’s extensive in-house capabilities, where a team of over 900 craftspeople performs 90% of the work across five specialized facilities.
As Al Reem begins her life at sea, she stands as a testament to successful collaboration between a visionary owner, a forward-thinking shipyard, and two of the industry’s leading design studios. Her journey through the Mediterranean this summer will undoubtedly be watched closely by the industry and enthusiasts alike.
NAVIS will continue to follow M/Y Al Reem's journey. Stay tuned for further updates and sightings from her Mediterranean season.
