Tailor Made Solutions – Guided and Motivated by Customers

DEFENCE TURKEY 52 ISSUE 67/2016

Ares Shipyard - Tailor Made Solutions – Guided and Motivated by Customers Ares Shipyard is the largest composite vessel manufacturer in Turkey and Europe - among the largest in the world, having delivered over 100 vessels across the globe. CEO & General Manager of Ares Shipyard Mr. Kerim Kalafatoğlu shared us about structure of shipyard, design and production capabilities; export strategies and much more for our readers.

Defence Turkey: Mr. Kalafatoğlu, Customs Service and 3-off coast recognized companies with very high first of all, thank you for making time guard boats to Turkish Republic credibility and realized, proven design to talk with us. Can you briefly tell of Northern Cyprus Coast Guard solutions. Our design team has been us about Ares Shipyard’s company Command. We have gone through the working with these companies. personnel structure, the scope and design studies and begun production Once anyone views our product a bit about the product range? phase of 17-off fast coast guard range, it is our distinctive design Ares is based in Antalya Free boats for Qatar Ministry of Interior. solutions that excite his attention. Zone with approximately 20.000 In addition to our production Young Turkish engineers have been m² enclosed production area. Our work in accordance with our ongoing realizing these design solutions at company is a distinguished shipyard contracts, we participated in several Ares. We are continuously improving among its competitors in shipbuilding international tenders. We proposed our design solutions with the effort sector using advanced design and very distinctive and attractive models and goal of increased availability production technologies, bracing up in these tenders. And in 2016, we are through our strategic partnerships. from the unity of experience with a expecting to receive positive results Cost efficiency is one of young and ambitious team. of these studies carried out in the our main goals in every project Being a shipyard, our main past year. that we carry out. Likewise, life distinction among other shipyards Defence Turkey: Mr. Kalafatoğlu, cycle cost is the focus point of beyond shipbuilding is that we despite the many manufacturers the customers especially for the have a full authorized and quality- in the market, you do not offer any military and paramilitary entities. It certified Integrated Logistics Support commercial ‘off the shelf’ commercial is also essential for us to be on the Department. We do not end up our products. With this approach, what same target with our customers, relationship with our customers with type of advantages does it bring to as a shipyard-producing customer the delivery process. We always take you in the market? focused solutions. life cycle support into consideration As Ares, our conception has Nevertheless, we have new design beginning from the concept design always been the same from the very solutions brought to concept design phase and make life cycle cost first day of our establishment. And we phase with our strategic partners for predictions. We prepare maintenance have defined this conception of ours any possible urgent needs and boat plans for the products we deliver. as “tailor made solutions”. Ares is requests and we keep adding new We produce technical manuals a company which always listens to ones to our product range every day. including operation and maintenance its customers as a priority. We are a Thus, we are able to respond almost in desired language and under company valuing the requests of our every kind of boat requirements from requested specifications. We make customers. We are willing to let our any sector in a very short while. all necessary plans for the vessels we customers guide and motive us. We Defence Turkey: Mr. Kalafatoğlu, build, in order to fulfill the customer’s want them to expand our horizon. for the Qatar Ministry of Interior, requirements and to have them We do not dictate commercial off your production work continues for maintain the platforms with minimum the shelf products, instead we have the supply of the needs of the Coast possible cost. lots of solutions to offer to our valued Guard Command, within the scope Our fields of activity and target customers. I think this is the point are 3 different configurations, and a markets include domestic and foreign we differ from others in the sector. total of 17 Guard Coast Guard boats. government entities and private & And this is what positions us at a How is the process progressing semi-private enterprises. distinguished and advantageous under this program? What would Our product range consists of point in the competitive market. you like to say about the production naval craft, patrol craft, utility & As a matter of course, producing process and deliveries? support craft, passenger craft and customer focused solutions require First of all, I’d like to state that, pleasure craft. a chain of labor-intensive design this project is the largest naval craft Concordantly our personnel activities. However, our goal is export engagement accomplished structure is formed with a young, to keep on creating the best-fit with a single contract by Turkish ambitious, and inquisitive engineering solutions to our customers and Republic. team, experienced managers and pursue this strategy with our young Production has been going practical blue-collar employees in and ambitious design team. on at full steam for the 17-off order to support our competitive Defence Turkey: Ares Shipyard Hercules Series coast guard boats ingenious products. has a strategic partnership with under 3 models with 24m, 34m Besides, we have been carrying design offices such as Roll-Royce and 48m length for the Qatar out studies on establishment of a and BMT Nigel Gee. What type of Coast Guard Command. I can new R&D Department in the medium support do you receive from these clearly and proudly say that we term. companies? Will you be working on are ahead of our production and Defence Turkey: Looking back a new concept to meet immediate delivery schedule requested by the upon last year, how was the year for needs, with low cost but high customer. Production activities have Ares Shipyard? effectiveness and usability, in the recently been inspected by a Qatari 2015 was quite busy and alive upcoming period, as a reflection of committee on-site in February 2016. with projects and deliveries for Ares. this strategic partnership? The undersecretary level visit and I’d like to state that we worked Rolls Royce and BMT Nigel Gee inspection resulted highly satisfactory indefatigably in 2015. We delivered are two of our international strategic and successful on behalf of Ares. 2-off fast patrol boats to Nigeria partners. They are worldwide well- On the other hand, we have been DEFENCE TURKEY 54 ISSUE 67/2016

working on the training courses package? On the other hand, of engineers and technicians. Our and specific documentation to be regarding boat maintenance and the team has been carrying out planned delivered to the Qatar Coast Guard repair process, what type of activity and periodic maintenance tasks Command personnel following the or movement has there been related systematically based on maintenance shipment of the boats. In the scope to negotiations for an integrated plans. Besides, we have the of this revolutionary project in the logistics support package? capability to intervene in the possible Turkish shipbuilding industry, our In accordance with the contract failures or incidents in timely manner prospective accomplishment and signed with the Qatar Ministry of to decrease down times of the fleet. the achieved level of our country will Interior, operator and maintenance We have been in intensive strengthen us even more in terms of trainings will be provided to the Qatar preparatory work for the prospective product and services export. Coast Guard personnel by our training maintenance contract beginning Defence Turkey: You have branch under Ares ILS Department from the enforcement date of the selected Aselsan for weapons beginning with the delivery process shipbuilding contract with Qatar systems to be integrated into of the boats. Our ILS Department Coast Guard Command. We are these boats and signed a definitive and training team consists mostly aiming to deliver the boats together agreement with Aselsan in October, of former Navy officers, stationed in with distinctive ILS packages and to 2015. Within the scope of the the various naval craft and shipyards, state that we are ready to provide program, which configuration quite familiar with the international logistics support to our customer. and which weapons systems will navy culture and deeply experienced Defence Turkey: Mr. Kalafatoğlu, be integrated. Can you provide in their fields. I can conveniently say countries such as Qatar, Bahrain information about the delivery that the only ILS department which is and Nigeria have selected you to process? able to cover all requirements among meet their needs for fast patrol boats We signed a memorandum of other shipyards in this field is here at and recently you’ve successfully understanding with worldwide- Ares. It is officially registered with ISO delivered these fast patrol boats to recognized Turkish defense 9001 by Turkish Lloyd. I can clearly these countries. Ares class fast patrol contractor Aselsan for 30mm state that we are in competition with boats are seeing a strong demand MUHAFIZ and 12,7mm STAMP worldwide-recognized corporate in the domestic and international weapon systems to be installed on shipyards in terms of ILS services. markets. With this success, other the boats. The weapon systems We had made an 8-off Ares 17 than using high-tech production will be installed on boats here at CF Catamaran Ferries sale back in methods, do you have a strategy on Ares. Spare parts and tools will 2014 to a government owned Qatari how to gain access to new markets? also be delivered together with the Tourism Company. We have been Ares platforms inspired interest systems in order to keep reliability running an ILS and Maintenance wherever delivered. High quality and maintainability rates higher. In Management Services program production and successfully on time addition, we will provide operator with a maintenance contract for the delivery of these vessels within quite and maintenance training for Qatar fleet. All maintenance tasks have tight schedules has been object of Coast Guard Command personnel. been planned on a Computerized curiosity and interest. The significant Within the master plan, we will begin Maintenance Management System increase in the number of visitors delivery of the boats from the 3rd (CMMS) with relevant data pulled from on our web site, increasing number quarter of this year. Ares database. These maintenance incoming e-mails and phone calls Defence Turkey: Mr. Kalafatoğlu, tasks have been monitored and have showed us the extent of interest as well as procurement of 17 boats, traced real-time not only by us but in Ares and it surely is pleasing for 275 Qatari staff will also be trained also by our customer in accordance us. Furthermore, our close attention by Ares Shipyard. What do you with our transparency policy. We and services to our customers after want to share regarding the scope have an engineering office and a sales and delivery phases increased of what is included in this training maintenance team in Qatar consisting the level of confidence to us even DEFENCE TURKEY 56 ISSUE 67/2016

more. Consequently, the name of Defence Turkey: It was announced weapon and electronic equipment. Ares has spread out very fast and that you won the Undersecretariat We do not consider this boat as a our customers have begun to find for Defense Industries’ tender to simple structure outboard engine, us before we reach out for them. procure 2 new type SAT boats to harbor control craft. I have to state Recently, we have visitors from fill the needs of the Turkish Naval that we have participated in this various entities and companies all Forces. Afterwards, the tender was tender with a fully equipped, hi-tech around the world, making site visits cancelled again. In October 2015, the boat appealing to the vision of the to our shipyard and willing to get to tender was re-opened again and you Turkish Navy, built through infusion know about our solutions. We keep delivered your bid at the beginning of technique with the most advanced our doors open to all our customers this year. What type of revisions are composite materials including carbon. and visitors according to one of included in this program, and as Ares Defence Turkey: Mr Kalafatoğlu, our main policies: transparency. Shipyard, what type of solutions will Ares Shipyard will make a big Sincerity and explicitness of ours be provided in the second tender? difference with an ambitious design contribute us to be promoted to the Yes, as you already know, this within the Turkish Fast Attack Craft new markets by our customers and process has been re-initiated. Even Program, we know that you are visitors themselves. Besides, as a though we won it, cancellation of working on a solution. What would matter of course we have a business the first tender has motivated us like to say on this topic? development plan, and through even more and we worked more We have a teaming agreement with this plan we observe the world and ambitiously on preparation for the Rolls Royce on Turkish Fast Attack possible needs and requirements; second one. We designed a more Craft Program. We have designed our thus we participate in tenders. challenging and higher performance ship on the P2500 hull form of Rolls Defence Turkey: How do you boat compared to the first one. We are Royce which is already patented and see your market position outside of in competition with a real combatant proven. Our completely steel hull the Middle East, especially in North solution: fast, enduring and agile just ship can easily speed up over 50 Africa, Turkic Republics and in like the Turkish Special Operations knots. With its special hull form, we Asia – Pacific? What kind of strategy Forces (SAT) Commandos, worthy have designed not only todays but is in place toward enhancing your of the name and responsive to the the forthcoming 20 year’s fast attack presence here in the future? requirements of the Turkish Navy. craft which is capable of operating in We’ve had contacts with the Defence Turkey: The RFP which Turkey’s surrounding seas, with high Turkic Republics and Asian market. includes the procurement of 8 Fast quality and high stealth feature. Currently, we have boats in service Patrol Boats for the Turkish Naval We have heard that the Turkish under Naval Forces, Coast Guard and Forces was released earlier this year Navy might prefer a composite Customs control in Turkmenistan and and must be delivered by the end of structure model because of the Georgia. And we are in negotiations March. In this context, what would speed requirements in this program. for prospective programs. We you like to share about the progress Ares is the largest composite exported various vessels to East and in this area? vessel manufacturer in Turkey West African Para military entities and Our fast patrol boat design is and Europe where it is among the private security companies. We are ready for the Turkish Navy. This largest ones in the world. I believe certainly willing to reach out North boat has been designed as a high- that production of a combatant African countries. However, I believe speed naval craft with a complete fast attack craft from composite that political instability and current bulletproof cabin. Latest technologies materials is a serious handicap in conjuncture in these countries need have been used in engines, weapons terms of stability, endurance and fire time for a change in favor of Turkey. and electronic systems. We will have resistance in case it is engaged and collaboration with Aselsan in the hit. If we had believed that it could DEFENCE TURKEY 58 ISSUE 67/2016

be built with composites, we would have participated in the tender with © Ares Shipyard a craft structured with today’s most advanced composite materials. Hence, our 48m composite vessels which are currently in production can conveniently cover the high-speed requirements. On the other hand, we have not even considered composite option since we have no doubt that the Turkish Navy would not embark on such an adventure. We have built platforms for various countries across the globe. I’d like to express that one of the utmost targets of mine as a Turkish patriot and businessman is to devise a remarkable project for the Turkish Navy. As you are aware a Request for Information (RFI) was published by Undersecretariat for Defense Industries and I have no doubt that 35m composite hull ready for infusion Ares is one of the most important up in 1 or 2 months. Once it’s done, I believe that we have given candidates of this program with its we will have brought in a one-of-a kind a different point of view to the responses to the RFI. facility to our country with its brand shipbuilding sector as Ares. We are Defence Turkey: Mr. Kalafatoğlu, new offices, workshops and training not only building ships with the best what can you share about your goals classes. original design solutions, but we are and plans for Ares Shipyard for the We are predicting an increasing drawing a vision to the users. We next five year period; such as your rate of growth in the short run in do not close out the contracts right organic and inorganic growth plans, consideration of our production after the production and delivery. We what type of investments are on the plans, realized design solutions and vouch for the platforms we build. We horizon? prospective shipbuilding programs. prepare and propose maintenance Ares has been sustaining its stable On the other hand, for Ares, the most contracts. We work round-the-clock growth trend since its establishment. important investment is the investment in order to immediately intervene in Our main goal is to complete our in human. Our rhetoric “Fabrilia Movent the problems of our clients. We even additional physical investments in Obrem” relies on the point that hand supply the required spare parts and the next 2 years and build naval craft craft moves the world. If you’ll excuse tools for our clients during contracted equipped with the most advanced me, I have to express without modesty maintenance tasks. Briefly, Ares technologies in an enclosed that, personnel formation of Ares is stands for problem-free and production area of 25.000m². We have one of the best in its sector. Briefly and untroubled life cycle for your vessels. doubled our production area this year to the point, we are working with the We have delivered over 100 and incorporated another production best personnel in their profession. vessels across the globe, and facility to our structure in Antalya Free Defence Turkey: Finally, do you none of them has been returned Zone. Modification and modernization have a message that you would like to our shipyard under warranty or works have been going on in this to convey to the readers of Defence any other clause. No complaint region and we are planning to finish Turkey? has been received by the Turkish Undersecretariat for Defense Industries to date. Today, Ares is probably the only shipbuilder in the world, which can guarantee its craft with 20 years hull warranty. We are at our customers’ service with our young, ambitious and inquisitive team and innovative, distinctive and creative solutions. Ares will continue to work for its country and represent it in the best possible way in the world. At this point, I’d like to express my gratitude to you in the name

© Ares Shipyard of Defence Turkey, for granting coverage in your magazine for Ares Gen. Abdulaziz Al Ansari & Brig. Ali Al Mannai of Qatar Coast Guard visited Ares Shipyard and for your contribution to increase our existing awareness even more.