Arkas Rail, Türkiye’s private railway operator, has put its locomotives into service. Out of the 5 locomotives ordered with an investment of 38.5 million euros, 3 have arrived in Türkiye. The eco-friendly locomotives will support the expansion and competitiveness of Turkish industry.
Arkas Rail, part of the Arkas Logistics Group, has received delivery of 3 locomotives ordered in 2023, in line with the plan.
Produced by Stadler Rail Valencia S.A.U., the locomotives run on both electric and diesel power. Arkas Rail’s environmentally friendly locomotives will transport import and export containers from Türkiye’s industrial hubs to ports through scheduled operations.
“There is great potential in railway transportation”
Arkas Holding Vice President, Diane Arcas Gocmez, said:
“Türkiye is an important bridge in world trade. It is the key part of the Middle Corridor that connects Europe with the Caucasus, Central Asia, and China. Once the investments are completed, cargo departing from China will be able to reach Europe seamlessly by rail through Türkiye. This will both save significant time and provide an environmentally friendly logistics solution. As Arkas Rail, we provide uninterrupted service from Türkiye to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan via the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line. We also operate block train services from China to Türkiye. We see great potential in railway transportation.
“We will serve all sectors with our locomotives”
Arcas Gocmez said:
“Railway transportation is gaining importance both globally and, in our country, and investments in this area are also increasing. As a company that has invested in railways for many years, both in equipment and land terminals, we are proud to achieve a first. With the 3 locomotives delivered to Arkas Rail, we will serve all sectors. With our hybrid locomotives, we will provide our customers with integrated logistics solutions in railway transportation. The connection of ports and Organized Industrial Zones by rail will also boost investment, production, and exports. The most important feature of our locomotives is their ability to switch to diesel engines in areas without an electric line, ensuring uninterrupted service.”
“Railport will give us great strength”
Diane Arcas Gocmez said:
“The launch of Railport, the inland terminal we established in Kartepe with duisport, Europe’s largest intermodal inland port operator, will be a major source of strength for Arkas Rail. In the south, our open and closed railway-connected warehouses in Mersin Yenice will support the structure as an inland port.”
By the end of 2025, with the arrival of 2 additional locomotives, Arkas Rail will operate with a total of 5 locomotives and more than 700 wagons, transporting exporters’ cargo from Türkiye’s leading industrial centers – such as Kayseri, Konya, Ankara, Gaziantep, and Eskisehir – to the ports. At the same time, import containers arriving at the ports will be delivered to industrial zones in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. The locomotives feature the strongest and most compact specifications in freight transport at European standards.
