Arkas is expanding its fleet by adding six new-generation eco-design container vessels with a $360 million investment, increasing the number of vessels to 55 and the TEU capacity to 112,230. Arkas has secured a long-term loan agreement with CIMC Financial Leasing which will enable the company to both expand and rejuvenate its fleet. The vessels, scheduled for delivery in 2028, are part of a collaboration agreement signed between Arkas, China Shipbuilding Trading Co, CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard executives, and CIMC Financial Leasing representatives.
Arkas, which holds the largest container vessel fleet in Türkiye and ranks among the top 33 shipowners in the world, has initiated the purchase of six new vessels for $360 million.
These vessels, each with a capacity of 4,300 TEU, will be the highest-capacity vessels in Arkas’ fleet and will be acquired from China’s CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard, renowned for its production quality. With this investment, Arkas will not only increase the number of vessels in its fleet to 55 and its capacity to 112,230 TEU but will also rejuvenate and expand its fleet.
The signing ceremony for the investment was held in Izmir, attended by Lucien Arkas, Chairman of Arkas Holding, Bernard Arkas, Vice President of Arkas Holding, Diane Arkas Gocmez, Vice President of Arkas Holding, Ibrahim Kontaytekin, Arkas Maritime Merchant Fleet Group Vice President, Haluk İribaş, General Manager, Cenk Sivrioğlu, Arkas Holding Chief Accountant, Perla Karmona, Chief International Finance Officer of Arkas Holding, executives from China Shipbuilding Trading Co and CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard, along with representatives from CIMC Financial Leasing and MB Shipbrokers.
In his speech at the ceremony, Arkas Holding Chairman Lucien Arkas stated, “We continue making investments to support Türkiye’s foreign trade and build trade bridges with the world. While making these investments, sustainability has been a key focus for Arkas for quite some time, which is crucial in today's world. The Chinese shipbuilding industry has proven its quality globally, and we have been very satisfied with the vessels we previously acquired from China. Now, for the first time in Türkiye, we are ordering eco-design vessels from China. These environmentally friendly vessels will help us move closer to our sustainability goals by allowing us to carry more cargo with less fuel. This is a step toward both rejuvenating and expanding our fleet. I would also like to extend my gratitude to CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard, the most important player in China's shipbuilding industry, which stands out with its superior production quality, and CIMC Financial Leasing for signing this significant agreement with us. This signature is a testament to the trust placed in both Türkiye and Arkas.”
Han Jianbing, Deputy General Manager of Wenchong Yard Delegation, said: "Due to the nature of our work, we meet with many companies of different scales, in different geographies, and with different visions. However, the collaboration we’ve established here today has become one of the most enjoyable and cherished for us. Just like us, it's truly valuable when not just two, but three, and maybe even four companies come together to sign such a significant agreement. Through partnerships like these, the relationships we build turn even newly acquainted colleagues into 'old friends.' I am fully confident that this collaboration will not end here but will continue to grow. I would like to thank everyone who contributed."
CIMC Financial Leasing’s General Manager of Business Department, Skye Zhu Tianwei, said, “It was an honor to meet Lucien Arkas in person earlier this year and to get to know one of the world's important shipowners. We were deeply impressed by Arkas' business mindset and the company’s long-standing history. We would like to express our gratitude for their warm welcome and kind hospitality. This first collaboration between Arkas and CIMC is one of the best decisions we've made this year. I believe this will not be the last, and we will continue to work together on future projects.”
The vessels, which will be delivered in February, April, June, August, October, and December 2028, will be operated by Arkas Line. These new-generation eco-design vessels will not only offer high capacity but will also support Arkas’ sustainability strategy by reducing carbon emissions through their fuel performance measurement system.