New mooring pier project begins in Marmaris to boost yacht tourism in Türkiye

The Environmental Impact Assessment (CED) process has officially started for a new boat mooring pier project in the Bozburun neighborhood of Marmaris.

Asia Marina Tourism Management Joint Stock Company Inc. plans to invest ₺294 million (around $6.6 million) to build the facility. The project reportedly aims to address the growing demand for boat mooring in one of the most critical yacht tourism and boat manufacturing centers in Türkiye.

Bozburun currently hosts 35 shipyards and 18 boat workshops. It plays a vital role in the national production of traditional gulets.

However, the existing infrastructure cannot keep up with the high volume of maritime traffic, especially during the busy summer months.

The 335-meter, Malta-flagged cruise ship Aroya, carrying 2.684 passengers, docks at the large pier of Marmaris Port in the Marmaris district of Mugla, Türkiye, August 31, 2025. (AA Photo)

Mediterranean yacht hubs face overcrowding

Local authorities and reports emphasize that current mooring areas are insufficient for the regional density.

During the peak season:

• Marinas reach maximum occupancy levels.
• Boat owners struggle to find available spots to dock.
• Unplanned and uncontrolled anchoring increases in natural bays.
• Waste management processes face delays, which raises the risk of marine pollution.

The project seeks to solve these issues by providing a modern and organized mooring area for approximately 180 boats.

This planned infrastructure will help prevent irregular anchoring and make sea tourism more sustainable in the region.

Aroya cruise ship docks at Marmaris district in Mugla, Türkiye, July 8, 2025. (AA Photo)

Innovative floating design and sustainability

The project design focuses on minimizing the impact on the marine ecosystem.

The developers plan to use floating systems rather than traditional filling or dredging methods.

The technical specifications include:

• A 995.46 square meter floating breakwater.
• A second breakwater covering 1096.28 square meters.
• Three separate floating piers with lengths of 120, 143, and 163 meters.
• A 5,144 square meter piled platform.

Using floating structures ensures that the seabed remains undisturbed and the natural water currents continue without interruption.

The project does not involve any filling, bottom dredging, or manufacturing activities at the site. This approach aims to keep environmental effects limited.

A view of the underwater excavation and documentation works at the Hellenistic-era shipwreck in Serce Harbor—an ancient maritime shelter in Marmaris, Mugla, Türkiye, June 19, 2025. (AA Photo)

Sustainable piers to protect marine life

The rise in boat numbers in recent years has created environmental risks for the pristine bays of Marmaris.

Boats that cannot find a spot at a pier often stay in natural bays for long periods. This leads to the discharge of wastewater and bilge, irregular disposal of solid waste, and a decline in seawater quality.

The new mooring pier will centralize these activities. It will allow for the regular collection of waste and its transfer to licensed facilities.

By providing a safe and sheltered location for 180 vessels, the project intends to protect the Datca-Bozburun Special Environmental Protection Area. This region has been under protection since 1990 and includes sensitive natural conservation zones.

This ₺294 million investment is expected to strengthen the strategic position of Türkiye in maritime tourism while solving a long-standing capacity problem in Bozburun.

April 06, 2026 08:27 PM GMT+03:00