Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Dec.26
By Huseyn Hasanov - Trend:
Croatian ULJANIK company will supply two contracted ferries (Ro-PAX) for the company "State Service of Maritime and River Transportation of Turkmenistan", the company said on Thursday.
The contract was signed in August 2012, while the delivery is expected by the middle of 2014.
The production process for the construction of this vessel started in the middle of June 2013.
"Berkarar", the first of two contracted ferries (Ro-PAX) intended for the transportation of passengers, trucks and other vehicles on the Caspian Sea, was launched.
The vessel may transport 200 passengers. It can also transport 54 trucks on two closed decks. One interesting fact that may be pointed out is that on the roof of the superstructure is an area designed for the landing of Sikorsky S-76 helicopters for the purpose of rescue.
The vessel is 155.8m in length, 17.5 meters wide and same will be driven by two four-stroke engines.
On the Caspian Sea, Turkmenistan borders with Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan and Iran.
The regional transport projects have recently intensified there.
Upgraded large-capacity vessels of the Turkmen trade fleet are actively involved in Caspian cargo transportation, serving international routes from Turkmenbashi port to other Caspian ports. They are expanding the variety of the transported goods.
In August, it was reported that in line with the results of the international tender the Turkish Gap Insaat will build a modern seaport in Turkmenbashi city on the Caspian seashore by 2017. The seaport will also include a shipyard. The cost is estimated at $2 billion.