Gorkem Yilmaz is a marine-trained engineer and seasoned operations director with over fifteen years of hands-on experience both at sea and ashore. He began his career sailing aboard commercial vessels, gaining in-depth knowledge of shipboard systems and safety management. Transitioning ashore, Gorkem served as Operations Manager and Director for leading ship-management firms, where he also held the role of Designated Person Ashore (DPA), overseeing safety, technical compliance, and crew welfare across a diverse fleet. Under his leadership, his teams have facilitated smooth vessel registrations, documentation, and regulatory communications in multiple jurisdictions. A class and flag-state surveyor, he brings expert inspection and statutory compliance skills to every project. In 2019, he founded his own maritime consultancy to deliver tailored operations, compliance, and registry-liaison services to shipowners and operators worldwide.