Our Team: the yard and the desk behind these builds

Ahmad is the visionary behind Indonesia Yacht Builder. Raised in a family with deep roots in Sulawesi’s maritime trade, he combined his cultural heritage with a world-class education in naval engineering. After a decade working with leading European shipyards, Ahmad returned to Indonesia with a mission: to elevate the Phinisi to a global symbol of luxury craftsmanship. He bridges the gap between our international clientele and the traditional builders in Bira, ensuring every project is a seamless fusion of authentic artistry and modern performance. His leadership is guided by a profound respect for the Konjo culture and a relentless pursuit of perfection.

Daeng Karim is the heart and soul of our shipyard. He is a living library of traditional shipbuilding knowledge, an art passed down through generations without written blueprints. Daeng Karim leads the entire construction process on the ground, from selecting the perfect Ulin timber for the keel to overseeing the final planking and caulking. His intuitive understanding of wood, balance, and form is something that cannot be taught in a university. He guides our team of local craftsmen, ensuring every vessel is imbued with the true spirit and structural integrity of a genuine Phinisi.

Isabelle brings international rigor and technical precision to our builds. With extensive experience in luxury yacht design in the Mediterranean, she is an expert in integrating modern propulsion, navigation, and hotel systems into traditional wooden hulls. She works hand-in-hand with Daeng Karim, using advanced CAD software to model and test designs that respect the Phinisi’s aesthetic while ensuring compliance with international maritime safety standards like SOLAS and MARPOL. Isabelle is the crucial link that guarantees our yachts are as safe and technologically advanced as they are beautiful.

Santi is responsible for creating the breathtaking interiors that define our luxury vessels. Her design philosophy is rooted in ‘tropical modernism,’ blending clean lines and contemporary comfort with authentic Indonesian materials. She travels the archipelago to source unique elements for each project—hand-woven Ikat textiles from Sumba, volcanic stone from Java, rattan from Kalimantan, and custom brasswork from Balinese artisans. Santi works intimately with each client to translate their personal style into a functional, elegant, and uniquely Indonesian living space on the water.

Michael is the primary point of contact for our clients throughout the commissioning journey. His background in five-star hospitality ensures a client experience that is as seamless and luxurious as the yachts we build. Fluent in English, Mandarin, and Bahasa Indonesia, he excels at managing complex projects, providing regular, transparent updates, and coordinating everything from client visits to the Bira shipyard to the final handover and delivery. Michael’s meticulous attention to detail ensures that every client’s vision is realized on time and to the highest standard. For inquiries, you can reach him and his team at [email protected].