About Kerem Başer

Kerem Başer is a Turkish marine engineer and naval architect, and the founder and Managing Director of KRM Yacht Refit & Rebuild. Under his leadership, KRM Yacht in Tuzla, Istanbul has delivered more than 200 refit and rebuild projects with a team of more than 300 marine 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

Kerem Başer was born and raised in İzmir, growing up by the Aegean Sea. He studied naval architecture at Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ), one of Türkiye's leading engineering universities. 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.

KEREM BAŞER, FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF KRM YACHT

Founding KRM Yacht

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 refit services: from complete mechanical and electrical overhauls to structural work, painting and full interior redesigns. Within a few years the yard had built a reputation across both technical and aesthetic work, and owners began returning with their next projects.

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.
Heavy-Lift Capacity: KRM installed a 900-ton travel lift, the largest in Türkiye, increasing its capacity to haul and service larger superyachts.
Quality, Environmental and Safety Certifications: In 2024 KRM's quality, environmental and occupational health and safety systems were certified by LRQA to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.
International Recognition: In August 2024 KRM became the first Turkish member of the ICOMIA Superyacht Refit Group, and as of 2026 it is still the only one.
Expanded Capabilities: In 2024 the company opened a new interior workshop equipped with modern machinery, enabling more of the work to be done in-house.

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 refit demonstrating that yards in Türkiye 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 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 approach has earned KRM Yacht a 92% returning client rate.

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 technical background and focus on client service have positioned KRM Yacht, and Türkiye, prominently in the global superyacht refit industry.