Joint development of multimodal logistics parks in Turkey / Expansion of intermodal network between Europe and Asia
Istanbul/Duisburg - Today, Turkish logistics company Arkas Holding S.A. and duisport announced the creation of a new joint venture at Logitrans, the leading Turkish logistics trade fair. The objective of the joint venture is the joint development of multimodal logistics parks, and the development of intermodal services in Turkey. The agreement was signed in the presence of North Rhine-Westphalia Minister of Transport Michael Groschek, which underlines the importance of this cooperation for the industrial and logistics location North Rhine-Westphalia. “The bridge between Duisburg and Turkey highlights the importance that duisport’s logistic activities have in our globalized world. The new, efficient connection between Istanbul and Duisburg paves the way for a wide variety of development and growth opportunities for shippers in North Rhine-Westphalia. Başarılar dilerim! Good luck!” wishes Michael Groschek, Minister of Transport of North Rhine-Westphalia. One of the first projects under the joint venture will focus on the development and operation of a more than 200.000 square meter large multimodal logistics area near Istanbul. This area is located in the vicinity of the Gebze industrial district. Plans include the construction of a bimodal terminal and the marketing of the premises to production and logistics companies. Constructions will start in 2016. Total investments are in the high double-digit million range. “Turkey is one of the main growth markets for the industrial and logistics value chain. With the Arkas Group, we have gained a strong and multinational partner that ideally complements our own network. By bundling our know-how, we are able to realize significant added value potentials in the region and further optimize the transportation chains of our customers,” emphasizes Erich Staake, Chief Executive Officer of Duisburger Hafen AG. “We are creating a joint venture in Turkey with the management company of the leading multimodal logistics hub in Central Europe. Up to now we have always invested by trying to foresee and meet the sector’s needs. By 2023 the railway’s share in the freight transportation of Turkey’s foreign trade is expected to reach 15%. In order to achieve these objectives, the focus should be on increasing logistics and rail capabilities which is why we are speeding up our investments. The intermodal logistics terminal at İzmit Kartepe, which will be the first within our duisport joint venture, will become a real hub once the Marmaray tunnel will start to be used for freight transportation and also when the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars rail link will become operational. Cargo will move between Asia and Europe, Europe and the Balkans and also the Central Asian (CIS) countries. Since the terminal will be rail-linked it is also very important that the regulations to liberalize the railways are completed as soon as possible. Once the liberalization comes truly into effect we shall also invest in locomotives”, says Lucien Arkas, Arkas Holding Chairman. Thanks to its vicinity to Istanbul, the logistics area will be optimally integrated into the multimodal networks of both partners. duisport already offers 15 weekly train connections to different Turkish destinations. The initial of the usage for freight transportation on the Marmaray tunnel in Istanbul will provide a direct connection to the new logistics area. This will create a Gateway Terminal for Istanbul and the entire region. The close linkages between the two hubs Istanbul and North Rhine-Westphalia offer customers tremendous potential for optimizing their transportation chains. Using the integrated logistics services of the two partners, companies are able to draw on an extensive and reliable intermodal transportation network that extends from Central Europe to Asia and North Africa. As early as 2014, Arkas and duisport signed a “Memorandum of Understanding”, with the aim of completing the required preliminary investigations for the joint venture, and developing the joint projects. Other multimodal logistics areas at the main transportation axes in Turkey have already been identified. The joint venture will begin its marketing activities shortly.