Arkas announced new investments and introduced service innovations at the Logistech Expo, held from September 11 to 13, 2024. The company participated in the event with its key business sectors, including Maritime, Logistics, and Port and Terminal Operations.
Organized by fuarizmir for the third time, the Logistech Expo offers participants and visitors a comprehensive experience of the logistics sector’s supply and demand chain.
At the event, Arkas presented its services and innovations at the booths of Arkas Line, Arkas Logistics, Shipeedy Logistics, Arkas Rail, Marport, Autoport, Limar, and Railport, which are under the roof of Arkas Maritime Group, Logistics Group, and Port and Terminal Operators Group.
$360 Million Investment in Six New Eco-Design Vessels
As the owner of Türkiye’s largest container vessel fleet, Arkas has agreed to invest $360 million to purchase six new vessels. Built by China’s CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard, renowned for its production quality, each of these 4,300 TEU vessels will be the largest in the Arkas fleet. With this investment, Arkas will expand its fleet to 55 vessels and increase its total capacity to 112,230 TEU, rejuvenating and expanding its fleet at the same time.
The eco-design, next-generation vessels, to be delivered in 2028, will not only increase Arkas’ capacity but also support its sustainability strategy by reducing carbon emissions, thanks to their fuel performance monitoring systems.
Arkas Line Connects Trade Across 84 Ports on Four Continents
Ranking 33rd among the top shipowners in the world, Arkas Line has expanded its service network beyond the Mediterranean, Black Sea, West and North Africa to now include the East Coast of America. With a total of 84 ports across four continents, Arkas Line offers fast, reliable, and high-quality service to its customers. The company has also recently added the Red Sea to its route, offering regular weekly services in the region.
In line with its goal to boost Türkiye’s foreign trade and create global trade bridges, Arkas Line has connected all the ports it serves with the Red Sea through two regular weekly services. Arkas Line CEO Can Atalay commented, “With nearly 30 years of expertise, experience and knowledge in container shipping, we aim to expand the Arkas Line name to new markets and contribute to Türkiye’s trade. We are growing and rejuvenating our fleet while adding new markets to our route, taking confident and steady steps forward.”
Investing in Sustainability
As the first and only Turkish member of the Clean Cargo Working Group, Arkas Line has been reducing its carbon emissions since 2011, lowering them by 25% (from 111.89 to 83.49 grams per TEU-kilometer). In 2023, Arkas Maritime Group began measuring its carbon footprint in 18 countries, including Türkiye. Recognizing the importance of digitalization and sustainability, Arkas also closely monitors its operational efficiency. Atalay added, “As Arkas Line, we continue to renew the vessels in our fleet in line with our long-term sustainability and emission targets. Accordingly, we are primarily updating the vessels with low CII performance in our fleet with investments in alternative eco-design vessels compatible with new fuel technologies. On the other hand, orders for vessels that can use alternative fuels are certainly on our agenda. However, due to the uncertainties in fuel supply and the fact that investments are spread over long periods of time, sometimes up to 20 years, we are still in the process of evaluating the ‘best’ options for Arkas Line.”
Major Partnership from Arkas Logistics
Arkas Holding Logistics Group participated in the expo with its companies Shipeedy Logistics, Arkas Rail, Arkas Heavy, and Fretlog, introducing its strong organizational structure in Türkiye as well as its companies and offices across the world, especially in the USA, India, China, Azerbaijan, and giving information about the latest developments and future plans.
Arkas Logistics has strengthened its global presence with end-to-end logistics solutions from the U.S. to India. Following the establishment of Arkas Logistics USA, the company acquired 80% of India’s major logistics firm Fretlog, bolstering its presence in the “India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.” Following its successful project to transport Turkish Airlines from Ataturk Airport to Istanbul Airport, Arkas Logistics added another major project with the relocation of Adana Airport.
Most recently, Arkas Logistics formed a joint venture with duisport, Europe’s largest intermodal logistics terminal (land terminal) operator, to create “Arkas Logistics Polska.” The new company will focus on providing logistics services between Türkiye and Poland, as well as between Poland, Germany, and other Western European countries, with an emphasis on intermodal and rail transport. Arkas aims to tap into the growing rail services between China and Europe, with its strong presence in key markets such as the U.S., China, and India further strengthening this partnership.
Gocmez: Partnership with duisport will be a Game-Changer
Onur Gocmez, President of Arkas Holding’s Logistics Group, stated, “Our partnership with duisport, Europe’s largest intermodal logistics terminal operator, with a focus on Poland, will provide a significant boost to both companies. Poland is emerging as a key hub for investors targeting the Western European market.” Gocmez also pointed to the growing trade volume between Türkiye and Poland, adding, “In 2023, our trade volume with Poland grew by 10%. Last year, while Türkiye exported $5.8 billion, imports reached nearly $6 billion. Poland offers significant opportunities for Turkish companies.”
“We Aim to Expand in China-Europe Rail Transport”
Gocmez emphasized that Poland, with its rapidly growing e-commerce market, offers significant logistics and warehousing potential. “In the future, we plan to offer closed warehousing and distribution services. Poland has a strong infrastructure for road, rail, sea, and air transportation. It connects Eurasia by road and links China, Ukraine, and Central Asia to Europe by rail. Through our partnership with duisport, we aim to become a major player in the rail corridor between Europe, China, and Central Asia, using the middle corridor that passes through Türkiye.”
Marport Strengthens Türkiye’s Competitiveness Abroad
Established in 2001 through a partnership between Arkas Holding and TIL (Terminal Investment Limited), Marport continues to support Türkiye’s international competitiveness with its modern port layout, state-of-the-art technology, next-generation terminal operating systems and its innovative investments.
Playing a crucial role in Türkiye’s foreign trade, Marport has increased its operational speed and efficiency by adding four new SSG cranes (25+1 side) as part of a $60 million “Modernization Project.” This has brought the number of SSG cranes to 14 and the total crane count to 19. With the ability to serve mega vessels simultaneously, Marport ensures maximum satisfaction for its business partners as well as Turkish importers and exporters.
Arkas Holding Port and Terminal Operators Group President, Özgür Kalelioğlu, emphasized that Marport is well-prepared to keep pace with the rapidly changing industry. Speaking about Railport, he said: “In partnership with duisport, the world’s largest intermodal logistics terminal operator, we’ve positioned Railport as a new ‘Intermodal Logistics Terminal’ on the East-West trade corridor, set to operate on a 265,000 square meter terminal. Additionally, we’re working on new projects at Autoport, Türkiye’s first automotive terminal, to add further value to the sector.”
Kalelioğlu also provided details on the company “Limar, Port and Terminal Operator”, which was founded in 1996 as the first Arkas Group company to invest in Türkiye’s port sector. “We offer fast, secure, and cost-effective port services at 12 different ports across Türkiye, using our own teams and equipment. With specialized software designed for this purpose, we provide our business partners with the most efficient solutions,” he said.