Baku, Azerbaijan, March 16
By Maksim Tsurkov - Trend:
The Baku International Sea Trade Port CJSC and the European Union (EU) have presented a joint project entitled "The EU support to expansion of the operational capabilities of the new Baku Port in Alat" financed by the Union.
Within the framework of the program, which will cover 2018-2019, an exchange of experience will be held in the areas of port operations, management, business, human resources, labor and environmental protection, and public relations. The project consists of five components.
Head of the Port Taleh Ziyadov, addressing the presentation ceremony, said that the Port cooperates with the leading ports, transport and logistics companies in Europe.
"Presently, the Baku Port is cooperating with the ports of Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, Bulgaria, Italy and Slovenia, and with this EU-supported project we plan to bring to the region best practices and innovations related to the improvement of operating systems," said Ziyadov.
Head of the EU delegation to Azerbaijan Kestutis Jankauskas, in turn, noted that the Baku Port holds an important place in the trade network between Asia and Europe.
"I am glad starting this year European cargo carriers will be able to track location of cargoes, operations and delivery time to neighboring ports through the modern information and communication system of the Baku Port. We are interested in the Baku Port's receiving the latest experience and knowledge, and we will continue to provide this support," Jankauskas said.
The Port in Alat, which will become the largest port on the Caspian Sea, is an important part of Azerbaijan's transport infrastructure. The first phase of construction of the Baku International Sea Trade Port in Alat settlement will be completed in May 2018.
After the first phase’s completion, the port’s capacity will be 15 million tons per year. The port’s capacity will be increased up to 25 million tons of cargo and 500,000 containers per year at the second stage, and up to one million containers per year – at the next stage.