As the e-commerce ecosystem in Türkiye continues to grow, the logistics sector is becoming one of the most critical areas at the center of this transformation. Success is no longer measured only by selling products, but by the ability to manage the entire process from order to delivery, from returns to customer experience, in a fast, flexible, and uninterrupted manner. As digitalization, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and customer-oriented service models reshape the competitive dynamics of the logistics sector, companies are preparing for the new era by supporting their operational strength with technology.

As one of the pioneering companies of this transformation, Aras Kargo aims to shape the future of the logistics sector by combining its strong operational infrastructure with digital technologies and sustainability-focused investments. Carrying out a broad transformation program ranging from artificial intelligence-supported routing systems to next-generation delivery management platforms, from electric vehicle investments to environmentally friendly logistics practices, the company stands out with its new-generation logistics approach that places customer experience at the center.

We spoke with Aras Kargo CEO Barbara Hagen about the effects of the growth of e-commerce in Türkiye on the logistics sector, the company’s artificial intelligence and digitalization strategies, its sustainability investments, and its vision for the logistics ecosystem of the future. Hagen says, “We are redefining the delivery process not only as a transportation operation, but as a holistic service model that is supported by technology, optimized, and centered on user experience.”

E-commerce in Türkiye is recording very rapid growth. How does this affect the logistics sector? How are you responding to this growth as Aras Kargo?

E-commerce in Türkiye continues to grow without slowing down. The “Overview of E-Commerce in Türkiye 2025” report also clearly demonstrates that the sector has gained strong momentum in terms of both transaction volume and diversity. This rapid transformation in e-commerce is also reshaping consumer expectations. Customers now expect not only fast delivery, but also flexible delivery options, effortless return processes, and the experience of receiving their orders whenever and wherever they want. In addition, customer satisfaction expectations have reached 98% across the sector. (Aras Kargo)

This picture is transforming the logistics sector not only operationally, but also strategically. Today, the differentiating factor is the ability to offer a fast, flexible, and uninterrupted customer experience by integrating strong operational infrastructure with advanced technology solutions. We also produce end-to-end solutions for changing customer expectations by strengthening our operational competence with digitalization, data-driven systems, and smart logistics applications.

We successfully manage the pressure created by the intense competitive environment and rising service expectations thanks to the right balance we establish between our pricing policy and service quality, our agile operational structure, and our adaptation approach that is open to continuous improvement. Thus, we redefine the delivery process not only as a transportation operation, but as a holistic service model that is supported by technology, optimized, and centered on user experience. (Aras Kargo)

With our Aras Burası and Dolap models, we offer our customers the option to receive their parcels. With our Aras Burası kiosks, we offer the opportunity to easily create shipments and carry out return transactions 24/7. In this way, we transform the cargo experience into a flexible and accessible structure.

Could you provide information about the digitalization and artificial intelligence-supported operations you have implemented at Aras Kargo?

While restructuring our business model end-to-end with a focus on digitalization and sustainability, we are implementing artificial intelligence-supported delivery models that increase operational efficiency and strengthen data-driven decision-making mechanisms through our subsidiary Aras Digital. Thanks to this transformation, we not only optimize our processes, but also build a more agile, sustainable, and customer-oriented logistics infrastructure. (Aras Kargo)

One of the most important examples of this approach, the artificial intelligence-based Aras Routing Platform developed by Aras Digital, optimizes our couriers’ routes in real time, providing time and fuel savings, reducing unnecessary vehicle movements, and directly contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions. Thus, we bring operational efficiency and sustainability goals together in the same framework. (Aras Kargo)

On the other hand, the next-generation delivery management system NESY, also developed by Aras Digital, brings distribution operations in different countries together under a single platform, while ensuring that operations are managed in a smarter, more predictable, and more efficient way through common data models and artificial intelligence-supported decision-making mechanisms.

With its modular and scalable structure, the platform, which enables the end-to-end digitalization of operational processes, is actively used in 6 countries today. As of 2026, with Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Bulgaria also being included in the system, NESY is aimed to transform into a stronger digital logistics ecosystem on a regional scale.

How much of a priority are sustainability and environmentally friendly logistics solutions in Aras Kargo’s strategy?

As Aras Kargo, we place sustainability at the center of our corporate strategy; we carry our operations into the future through our investments in people, technology, and efficiency. For us, sustainability is not merely a communication approach or a reporting heading, but a long-term transformation vision that forms the foundation of our business model. In line with this understanding, while we demonstrated our commitment on a global scale by becoming a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact in 2021, we assumed a pioneering role in the sector as the company that published the first sustainability report in the Turkish cargo sector.

We support this vision with concrete and measurable steps. Today, as the cargo company with the highest number of electric vehicles in Türkiye, we carry out our deliveries in 10 districts entirely with electric vehicles through our Green District project. Thanks to the artificial intelligence-based Aras Routing Platform, we optimize delivery processes in real time, significantly reducing fuel consumption, operational losses, and carbon emissions.

We do not limit our sustainability approach only to operational processes, but also strengthen it through social benefit-oriented collaborations. As part of our work with TURMEPA, we collected 4 tons of waste on 20 different coasts, while through our collaboration with the TEMA Foundation, we brought more than 200 thousand saplings together with the soil.

We act with the same sensitivity in our international operations as well. By measuring in detail the emissions arising from our operations and cargo flights in Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Uzbekistan, we analyzed a total of 109,500 tons of carbon emissions and 16.8 million kWh of energy consumption. We offset all of these emissions with renewable energy sources and certified them with GOLD and I-REC certificates. In addition, we aim to expand our environmentally friendly locker project powered by solar energy to 9 countries by the end of the year.

For us, growth means not only increasing operational capacity, but being able to achieve this together with environmental responsibility and sustainable value creation. As Aras Kargo, we believe that sustainability and operational strength are possible at the same time, and we shape all our investments in line with this understanding. (Aras Kargo)