Bilal Yazkan – Sailing the Digital Revolution: Where Passion Meets Innovation"

I was born in 1973 in Ortaköy, Istanbul. My connection with the sea began in my childhood years at Burak Reis Primary School, named after the legendary Mediterranean sailor. This school symbolizes my first bond with the sea.

My childhood and youth were spent on the Ortaköy shore with my late father, Razman Yazkan, and my older brother, Hasan Yazkan. My father loved fishing, and my brother and I would swim in the cool waters of the Bosphorus. Besides being a skilled pastry chef, he was also known for his passion for the sea. Whenever possible, we would go to the Bosphorus together—fishing, swimming—and these memories deepened my connection with the sea day by day.

My introduction to technology dates back to my middle school years. Under the guidance of my teacher, Ufuk, I learned programming languages like BASIC, Pascal, Fortran, and COBOL—even before the Windows era. With the advent of the internet, my interest in software, hardware, and online systems grew. The hands-on experience I gained at my older brother’s short-lived computer repair and sales shop further strengthened my expertise in this field.

The intersection of my passion for the sea and my technological skills led me to digital maritime. What began with small projects eventually opened the doors to a digital transformation in the industry with the founding of Motoryat.com in 2009.

To date, I have managed 50 international and 20 Turkish maritime publications and news sites, playing a pioneering role in the development of digital maritime media. Together with my late wife, Shanta Karki Yazkan, we contributed to the industry at various fairs. With my daughter, Neeti, we brought to life projects that added value to the maritime world.

We actively participated in every aspect of Turkey’s maritime culture and sailing sports, attending all major fairs and events. We organized sailing races, sailing schools, meetings, and seminars, bringing together key stakeholders in the industry.

To support the growth of sports, we sponsored prominent sailing teams and athletes, aiming to increase visibility through live broadcasts. In this context, we made history by airing Turkey’s first live sailing broadcast in Istanbul.

We followed races of all yacht clubs, big and small, documenting these experiences with professional footage and conducting interviews with athletes and industry representatives. We mobilized all our resources to help the maritime sector grow and reach wider audiences. With this mission, we continue our work with determination, contributing to the future of sailing sports in Turkey.

Motoryat.com and the Digital Transformation Journey

2009: Turkey’s first online boat listing platform, Motoryat.com, was launched to fill the digital gap in the industry and offer innovative solutions.

2012: E-commerce integration brought boat sales and rentals into the digital space, pioneering the concept of "digital brokerage."

2013: YAT TV was founded—Turkey’s first internet TV channel dedicated to maritime. It reached 50,000 daily viewers and produced over 5,000 interviews. Live broadcasts from Pendik Marina included sailor coffee meetings, blue card discussions, events, and Boat Show coverage.

2013–2017: Motoryat Magazine was published in print for four years before transitioning to digital. A mobile live broadcast vehicle was introduced, covering boat production, marinas, and fairs regularly. An application was made for a national broadcasting license for YAT TV.

2023–2025: Digital Press – Global Maritime Media Network

Digital Press is a media and communications network transforming the maritime industry on a global scale.

Structure:

• Marketplace: Motortar.com (e-commerce)

• Digital Press

• Boats Group

• Yachts Group

• Motor Yacht Group

• Sail Boats Group

Services Across 70+ Digital Platforms:

✔ Breaking news, industry analysis, and trend reports
✔ Custom global PR and promotional campaigns for brands
✔ Direct digital access to target audiences
✔ Sales-driven media collaborations

Global Vision:

An integrated media platform reaching maritime professionals worldwide.
Tailored communication strategies for each sub-sector (yachts, boats, marinas, logistics).
AI-powered systems for fast, effective, and targeted content production.

Final Words

"By fusing centuries of maritime wisdom with tomorrow’s AI breakthroughs, we’re charting a course for the future. In this voyage—where passion runs as deep as the ocean and innovation rides every wave—I’ll keep lighting the way for generations to come."

— Bilal Yazkan
A Sailor Crossing the Waves with Technology
🌐 Tech & Digital | Maritime & Media
🚀 70+ Platforms | Global Impact
• AI/ML • Blockchain • Web3 • Metaverse
♻️ Pioneering Industry 4.0 → 5.0