Leo Fun sold to Russian government

Mehmet Karabeyoglu, partner and CEO of Turkish shipyard Proteksan-Turqoise Yachts, has expressed his delight at the news that one of the company’s builds has been purchased by the Russian government.

Leo Fun, which will be renamed Sirius by its new owners, has been registered in its new port of Sochi where it will act as a stunning venue for the congregation of top ranking global officials at the 2014 Winter Olympics.



The 53 metre superyacht was previously operating as a charter vessel and it is believed that Russia’s president opted to buy her after renting her for charter.

Speaking to Synfo.com, part of the Yacht Report Group, Mr. Karabeyoglu expressed his delight at the news. Although initially unaware of the identity of the buyer, he was informed that Leo Fun had been registered in Sochi and had acquired a Russian crew. It has since become apparent that she is now a state-owned yacht purchased, Mr Karabeyoglu believes, by the President – Dmitry Medvedev - or Prime Minister – Vladimir Putin.

Mr Karabeyoglu is used to such events, having previous builds sold to the likes of Johnny Depp and Bernie Ecclestone. However, he insists that each sale makes everyone at the company very proud.

He explains, “ It is this sort of recognition which proves that our vessels are equal to the standard of ship building in Northern Europe. We have had many Russian clients over the years, who appreciate the quality of Turkish yachts.”

It was the Russian market that was seen to suffer particularly heavily during the global recession, which engulfed the world’s economies over two years. During that period, what was once a guaranteed source of fruitful business became a far more uncertain market.



Mr Karabeyoglu though, says that his yard was one that did not experience a fall in Russian business, demonstrating the increasing strength and robustness of the Turkish shipbuilding industry:

“I don’t think we’ve experienced a drop in the Russian market at all; in recent years we’ve continued to receive many enquiries from potential Russian buyers. We haven’t suffered from the recession to the same extent as shipyards in Europe. During that time period we have built six superyachts.”

That buoyancy is reflected in Proteksan-Turquoise’s itinerary for 2011. The shipyard is to launch a further three superyachts - the first a 55 metre vessel sold to an American buyer at the beginning of February; the second a 60 metre superyacht, to a French buyer in May; and the third a 72 metre build, to an English buyer in July.

“Two of these builds are being sold to repeat clients and one to a new buyer”, says Mr Karabeyoglu. This then, is proof that Proteksan-Turquoise is enticing new customers whilst retaining satisfied existing clients.



WM

Related Links

Proteksan-Turquoise Profile | Proteksan-Turquoise Website

---

Click here to become part of The Superyacht Group community, and join us in our mission to make this industry accessible to all, and prosperous for the long-term. We are offering access to the superyacht industry’s most comprehensive and longstanding archive of business-critical information, as well as a comprehensive, real-time superyacht fleet database, for just £10 per month, because we are One Industry with One Mission. Sign up here.