29.05.2024
Arkas, which has been operating in Mersin for nearly half a century, continues to contribute to Turkish foreign trade with its integrated maritime and logistics service chain at its new headquarters.
For 46 years, Arkas has been contributing to Mersin’s foreign trade with unwavering confidence and quality. Now, it continues to serve its customers from its new headquarters in Yenisehir. The opening ceremony was attended by Lucien Arkas, Chairman of Arkas Holding, Bernard Arkas, Vice President of Arkas Holding, and Diane Arkas Gocmez, Vice President of Arkas Holding; Arkas Holding Logistics Group President Onur Gocmez, Arkas Line CEO Can Atalay, Arkas Maritime Group CEO Cenk Deger, Deputy Governor Ibrahim Kucuk, Deputy Secretary General of Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, Deputy Chairman of Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry Cem Bucuge, Board Member Murat Aktog, and Secretary General of Mersin Chamber of Shipping Mesut Ozturk, along with guests from the Mersin business community.
“Let’s continue to grow together in Mersin”
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Diane Arkas Gocmez, Vice President of Arkas Holding, said, “We have been in continuous development since our establishment. Today, we inaugurated our new headquarters in Mersin, which is well-suited to this region. The investments we have made in Mersin and Yenice support the strategic position of the region, and we will continue to do so.”
Bernard Arkas, Vice President of Arkas Holding, said, “Almost half a century has passed since we opened our Mersin office in 1978 as our third branch after Izmir and Istanbul. Since then, our company has expanded from India to America, from Africa to Northern Germany, and now has 30 branches in 27 countries.
My personal relationship with Mersin began in the mid-1990s. At that time, I was traveling to Mersin every month, and I learned a lot. I would like to thank our business partners, customers, and employees who took the time to come here today and created this huge crowd.”
Lucien Arkas, Chairman of Arkas Holding, emphasized that Mersin is a very important city for Arkas and for Türkiye’s foreign trade, saying, “We opened our office in Mersin nearly half a century ago, in 1978. Mersin has always supported us, and we have always supported Mersin. At Arkas, we have achieved many firsts in Mersin; Arkas Line initiated the first reefer container line transportation in Türkiye from Mersin. The first train from Türkiye on the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) Railway Line set off with Arkas Logistics’ organization. We continue to contribute to the development of regional and international trade.”
Arkas said, “We are among the pioneers in the shipping industry. Turks have a place in the sea. We are committed to its development and continue to invest in it. Currently, we have 50 vessels, and we have ordered 6 additional container vessels. I firmly believe that Mersin will experience significant development once connected to Anatolia by railroad, and I have been investing in this vision for years. Furthermore, we acquired a piece of land here in Yenice years ago, and we have also ordered 5 hybrid locomotives, which are set to be delivered next year. Mersin holds a special place in my heart, and together, let’s continue to foster growth in Mersin.”
Arkas Line Supports Mersin’s Foreign Trade
Arkas Line, the pioneer of the first reefer container line in Türkiye from Mersin, offers regular weekly services to destinations including the Mediterranean, Black Sea, West and North Africa, Northern Europe, and the East Coast of the US. Last year, the company transported a total of 66,737 TEUs of containers.
Complete Logistics Service from Arkas Logistics in Mersin
Arkas Logistics, the pioneer in loading trains from Türkiye on the Iron Silk Road, continues to expand its transportation, warehouse, railway, and forwarding services in Mersin. In 2023, the company conducted 10 percent of the total 2 million tons of railway transportation in Mersin and achieved a milestone by transporting sensitive products such as glass by rail in closed wagons for the first time in Türkiye.
Adjacent to the TCDD Mersin Yenice Logistics Center, the Arkas Logistics Mersin-Yenice Warehouse spans 50,000 square meters and includes a 2,200 square meter indoor warehouse. Upon the completion of the 4,400 square meters of indoor warehouses currently under construction, a total capacity of 6,600 square meters will be established.
As part of on-site logistics services, Sisecam Mersin Logistics Center and its affiliated external warehouses handle warehouse operations for flat glass, glass packaging, and glassware groups within a total indoor storage area of 170 thousand square meters.
Solutions for Foreign Trade Under One Roof
In addition to Arkas Line and Arkas Logistics, Yang Ming Anadolu, established by Arkas in partnership with Yang Ming, one of the world’s leading shipowners, continues to connect Mersin to the Far East via shipping services at the new Arkas Mersin Headquarters, where we will continue to contribute to the development of regional and international trade. The Mersin branch of Tarros Shipping, a joint venture between Arkas and Italian Tarros, will also be housed in the building. Additionally, Arkas Sigorta at Arkas Mersin Headquarters continues to provide customers with the most suitable and rational insurance solutions in the transportation sector.
