Arkas was founded in 1902, by Gabriel J.B. Arcas as an import company based in Izmir. In 1944, Lucien G. Arcas redefined the company’s core activity, focusing on international transportation. Later on in 1964, the son Lucien Arkas took over the management who is still the president of Arkas Holding. The company underwent a name change in 1979, becoming Arkas Shipping and Transport S.A., providing agency services for global shipping lines.
In 1996, expanding its business as a shipowner, Lucien Arkas founded Emes Shipping & Transport, primarily offering Feeder Services. Business evolved with an addition of Liner services, and eventually Liner services have become the core of business and in 2009, and Arkas Container Transport S.A. (Arkas Line) was founded with a focus on “Liner Services” headquartered in Istanbul, while feeder operations continued under Emes Feedering S.R.L. headquartered in Genoa.
Arkas currently has an owned fleet of 49 vessels, in which 23 are under Arkas Line operations, and 12 under Emes Feedering S.R.L. operation. As per the TOP container operators list Arkas Line/EMES operates with a capacity of 57097 and is ranked in the 34th place.