After two decades of collaboration, Consilium Safety Group and its Turkish partner took the next step. Ares Marine now operates as Consilium Safety Türkiye, anchoring global safety expertise in the heart of Istanbul’s shipbuilding boom, where technology, craft, and demand converge.
Along Tuzla Bay’s docks on the eastern edge of Istanbul, hulls gleam and steel clangs over the water. Tankers, ferries, and cargo ships fill the drydocks, surrounded by cranes and scaffolding.
This is the epicentre of Türkiye’s shipbuilding industry, home to more than 70 shipyards, and now to Consilium Safety Türkiye.
For Consilium Safety Group, it marks a strong foothold in one of the world’s most active centres for ship construction and repair.
Twenty minutes inland, we meet Mustafa Özler, MD at Consilium Safety Türkiye’s office — at a glass-fronted building behind tall pine trees. Mustafa greets us with tea, the same gesture he shares with clients when visiting their shipyards.
Though many conversations now happen online, he values meeting in person.
“Even when there’s no project, we stop by to say hello and share a tea,” Mustafa says. “It keeps us close. We often hear about new projects just through everyday chats. If a customer needs advice or help with an installation, we’re there quickly, or they can drop by our office. We’re neighbours more than suppliers.”
Built on partnership
Ares Marine began in 2016 as a liaison for European shipowners. After merging with Ormar in 2017, a company rooted in Türkiye’s maritime sector since the late 1980s, it earned a reputation for reliability and long-term partnerships. Its collaboration with Consilium became the foundation for what is now Consilium Safety Türkiye.
“We’ve worked together for decades and learned to speak the same language. We grew together. That’s why becoming Consilium Safety Türkiye felt natural.”
Today, the company focuses on two main areas: marine tank management and onboard safety. Its systems include level gauging, valve control, and fluid monitoring, supported by digital platforms that integrate key functions on board.
Consilium’s fire and gas detection systems are central to its safety work. “We see strong potential in both areas as well as in other third-party products”, says Mustafa. “These solutions are key to meeting the growing safety demands in shipbuilding”
“Reliability is what keeps customers coming back,” he adds. “We support vessels throughout their entire life. Our customers can reach us anytime. That makes us a trusted partner.”
Rising demand
The acquisition strengthens that promise. Backed by Consilium’s global network, the Turkish operation can now focus on its core business and scale. It comes as the nation’s shipyards face surging demand; Türkiye’s trading fleet has grown by about 35 per cent over the past five years, according to UNCTAD data.
A 25 per cent rise in shipbuilding contracts awarded to Turkish yards during the same period shows this momentum. In that environment, a local branch of a global safety leader offers clear advantages, providing trusted systems, faster service, and hands-on support as projects multiply.
“Turkish shipyards are flexible,” Mustafa says. “Prototype and first-of-its-kind projects often start here. That demands creativity and reliability, qualities Consilium delivers.”
The impact reaches beyond the shipyards. “It will lift safety standards across the board,” he says. “For ships built here, for Turkish-owned vessels, and for any ship passing through our ports or the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits. It means safer work for crews, better returns for owners, and stronger standards for the whole industry.
He points to the cultural fit. “Consilium’s leadership is inspiring,” he says. “They value local expertise, and I’m impressed by how much Consilium believes in cultural diversity, one of the most valuable assets in today’s global business. To me, Consilium is a future-oriented company with strong roots in its legacy.”
Strategic growth, local commitment
Looking at the broader picture, he sees mutual gain. “This is a win-win for the Turkish maritime industry as well as for Consilium,” he says. “Turkish shipyards now have full access to Consilium’s proven safety solutions, and Consilium gains a stronger foothold in the global market. It’s a partnership built on trust, and now, on shared growth.”
Marcus Andersson, Chief Commercial Officer at Consilium Safety Group, comments on the strategic move.
“We’re building a regional base for innovation and safety. There’s strong potential here, in marine safety, digital safety solutions, and fire and gas automation across energy and transport.”
He sees Türkiye as a key part of Consilium’s wider growth plan. “Our goal is to speed up investment,” Marcus says. “We want our Turkish team to lead development, create new services, and respond quickly to local needs, supported by Consilium’s global resources.”
Local presence makes all the difference. “Being close to our customers doesn’t just cut response times,” he says. “It builds stronger relationships. Whether it’s a newbuild project, a retrofit, or a service visit, Consilium Safety Türkiye can act fast, improve safety, and grow with our clients.”
