Arkas Holding, the parent of Turkey’s largest liner, has taken a significant step in its shipping and logistics growth plans after securing a $335m syndicated loan facility led by the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation (IFC).
The Turkish group will receive $260.3m in the first tranche, arranged with the participation of several international finance institutions, including Emirates NBD and ILX Fund. The remaining portion is expected to be finalised in the coming months.
The funding will support Arkas’s port and intermodal expansion, sustainability initiatives and fleet upgrades. A share of the loan will also refinance existing short- and medium-term debt, allowing the company to push ahead with long-term infrastructure projects, the group said.
Arkas Holding chairman Lucien Arkas said the agreement underscored both the company’s and Turkey’s growing weight in regional trade. “By directing the financing to our port and transportation investments, we are working to strengthen Turkey’s strategic bridge position between east and west,” he said, adding that it would enhance the effectiveness of the Middle Corridor.
IFC’s regional head of infrastructure and natural resources, Laura Vecvagare, said the investment highlighted the private sector’s role in transforming Türkiye’s logistics network. She noted that expanded port capacity and upgraded transport links would contribute to economic growth and job creation across the region.
Arkas said the deal ranks among the most notable private-sector financings in Turkey in recent years and aligns with the World Bank Group’s strategy to support East-West trade flows. IFC said the package will help modernise port infrastructure, improve connected road and rail systems, and support cleaner energy practices, strengthening the competitiveness of the Middle Corridor route spanning Central Asia, the Caucasus, Turkey and Europe.
Earlier this year, Arkas moved to further bolster its fleet with a fresh round of containership newbuildings in China. The Izmir-based carrier returned to CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard for four firm 3,100-teu vessels and secured options for two additional units.
The ships, priced at about $50m each, are scheduled for delivery in 2028 — matching the timeline of the 4,300-teu series of six ships the company ordered at the same yard last year at around $60m apiece. As with that previous programme, the Lucien Arkas-led group has again tapped Chinese leasing to support its latest expansion, a move that could lift its fleet to roughly 60 ships. If all options are exercised, Arkas’ cumulative newbuilding investment would exceed $650m.
