About Kerem Başer
Kerem Başer (born 1981) is a Turkish marine engineer and naval architect who founded KRM Yacht Refit & Rebuild. Under his leadership, KRM Yacht in Tuzla/Istanbul has grown into Türkiye’s premier superyacht refit facility, completing over 200 refit and rebuild projects with a team of more than 100 professionals. Başer emphasizes craftsmanship, integrity and client trust in every project – a philosophy he often terms “professional perfection”. He champions transparency and quality by giving yacht owners 24/7 online access to their project’s progress via KRM’s proprietary “View Your Yacht” system.
Early Life and Education
In 2010 Başer founded KRM Yacht Refit & Rebuild in Tuzla, Istanbul. His vision was clear from the start: “KRM Yacht was founded for the sole purpose of refit and rebuild projects on superyachts”. He identified a market gap – a dedicated, full-service yard focused exclusively on luxury yacht refits – and built KRM around that niche. Under his guidance, KRM set out to offer comprehensive, world-class refit services: from complete mechanical and electrical overhauls to structural work, painting and full interior redesigns. Within a few years the company had earned a reputation for excellence in both technical maintenance and aesthetic transformation, positioning itself as a trusted, world-class superyacht yard.
Founding KRM Yacht
Kerem Başer was born and raised in İzmir, growing up by the Aegean Sea. He pursued his interest in naval architecture by studying at Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ), Turkey’s top engineering school. At İTÜ he earned a degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, building a solid technical foundation in yacht and ship design. After graduation, Başer gained hands-on experience in several Turkish shipyards and yacht design offices, honing the practical skills that would later underpin his career.
Major Achievements at KRM Yacht
Under Başer’s leadership, KRM Yacht has achieved several industry-leading milestones:
- Project Delivery: The yard has delivered over 200 refit/rebuild projects to date, serving owners worldwide.
- State-of-the-Art Infrastructure: KRM installed a 900-ton travel lift – the largest in Türkiye – dramatically increasing its capacity to haul and service larger superyachts.
- Quality and Safety Certifications: In 2024 KRM became the first Turkish refit yard to earn triple ISO certification (LRQA ISO 9001 for Quality, 14001 for Environment, and 45001 for Health & Safety), underscoring Başer’s commitment to international standards.
- International Recognition: KRM is the only Turkish facility admitted to the ICOMIA Superyacht Refit Group, a global association of elite refit yards. Başer noted it is “a great honour” for KRM to be one of only 10 yards worldwide in this group.
- Expanded Capabilities: In 2024 the company opened a new 2,000 m² interior workshop equipped with modern machinery, enabling more work to be done in-house. This investment reflects Başer’s strategy to continuously expand KRM’s services and autonomy.
In addition to these highlights, KRM has taken on challenging projects that illustrate Başer’s ambition. For example, the yard’s extensive refit of the 43m sailing yacht Delusha in 2020 was described by Başer as a “milestone” – a high-quality refit demonstrating that Turkey’s yards can “push boundaries” on complex superyacht projects.
Leadership Style and Values
Başer leads KRM with a focus on teamwork, quality and client satisfaction. He built a strong in-house project team of experienced naval architects, marine engineers and former captains so that every aspect of a refit is overseen by experts. He also carefully selects and mentors sub-contractors, ensuring they meet KRM’s high standards. Başer stresses meticulous planning and budgeting – aiming to deliver every job “on budget” and “on time” – to put owners at ease and build trust. In his own words, “professional perfection depends on highly qualified craftsmanship, honesty, [a] decisive budget, and on-time delivery”. To reinforce transparency, KRM clients are given login access to follow their yacht’s progress 24/7 via the “View Your Yacht” portal. This client-centric, integrity-driven approach has earned KRM Yacht a stellar reputation and very high repeat-business rates.
Industry Affiliations and Recognition
Beyond KRM, Başer is active in the global superyacht community. In August 2024 KRM Yacht was welcomed as a Sustaining Member of the ICOMIA Superyacht Refit Group – making it Türkiye’s first yard in that exclusive international association. Başer remarked that joining ICOMIA was “a great honour for KRM Yacht,” allowing Türkiye to be represented on the world stage. Through such affiliations and frequent participation in industry forums and conferences, he works to raise the profile of Turkey’s superyacht sector. He also engages with Turkish maritime and business organizations to promote best practices and innovation at home.
Kerem Başer continues to drive KRM Yacht’s growth, investing in new facilities and technology while upholding the company’s founding values. His combination of technical expertise, visionary leadership and emphasis on client service has positioned KRM Yacht — and Turkey — prominently in the global superyacht refit industry.
Videos
- Asset Management – The Refit Process of Boats and Marine Vessels
- KRM Yacht Founder Kerem Başer on Life Style TV Program
- KRM Yacht Owner Kerem Başer
- Entrepreneurial Mariners – KRM Refit
- Refitting 30-Year-Old Motor Yachts – Giving Them New Life
- Our Managing Director Kerem Başer Shared Latest Improvements at KRM During Monaco Yacht Show 2024
- KRM Yacht Founder Kerem Başer on “Çalışan Türkiye” TV Program
- KRM Yacht – Managing Director Discusses Rebuild Project "M/Y Newal"
Links
- KRM Yacht Continues to Lead the Turkish Superyacht Refit Industry with Three Significant Achievements
- A day in the life of Kerem Başer
- Turkey Hosted the 2024 Superyacht Summit
- Sector Spotlight: Refit & Repair
- Kerem Başer – Breathing New Life into Yachts for 10 Years
- 20-Metre Freedom Reborn