Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan to launch new ferries
By Rashid Shirinov
New ferries will run between the Baku International Sea Trade Port in Alat and Kazakhstan’s Kuryk port, which is currently under construction, CJSC Baku International Sea Trade Port stated.
The issue was discussed in Baku as Director General of the Port Taleh Ziyadov met with the delegation headed by President of JSC Kazakhstan Railways Askar Mamin, who visited the new port of Baku.
During the meeting, Ziyadov said that the cargo transshipment through the Alat port increased by over threefold, which is linked with the increase of cargo transportation on the route Baku-Aktau-Baku.
Mamin, in turn, said that the construction of the new Kuryk port in Kazakhstan will have a positive impact on freight volumes between the two countries.
Both the already operating and new ferries will run between Baku and Kuryk ports. “Moreover, a free trade zone will be created at the Kuryk port following the example of the Baku port,” Mamin added.
The ferry complex in Kuryk port is considered to be a strategically important object as it will allow transporting goods to neighboring countries without unloading cars. The new ferry terminal is expected to allow the country to export oil, polyethylene, iron ore and concentrates to world markets through Baku, Azerbaijan.
The ferry complex is due to be commissioned in December 2016. The capacity of the port is expected to reach the amount of 4 million tons of freight per year.
The Baku International Sea Trade Port is located in the Alat settlement, 40 miles south of Baku. The construction of the Baku International Sea Trade Port started in November 2010.
Being located at a crossroads of Europe and Asia nearby important markets such as China, Turkey, Iran and Russia the new port has huge opportunities to become one of the leading trade and logistics hubs of Eurasia.
The free trade zone to be created here is expected to make a huge contribution not only to the economy of Azerbaijan, but a whole region.
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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
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