The Maritime Administration established under the presidential decree covers activities of all agencies owning vessels and operating on the Caspian and in other regions, the government of Azerbaijan has told Trend . It will represent Azerbaijan in international organizations, particularly, in the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and regulate relations between the entities operating in Azerbaijan and beyond its boundaries. This body, in particular, will regulate issues concerning the passage of vessels through the Russias inner waters, the government noted.
Such agency existed based on the Caspian Shipping Company. By establishing the Transport Ministry setting up of the Maritime Administration has been charged to this body. However, till now the agency has not been established.
The Caspian Shipping Company owns currently the vessels: ferries, dry cargo ships, tanker fleet and special vessels. Besides, the vessels are also owned by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (research vessels), В"Caspmornefteflot (vessels for marine operations by the oil companies) and the State Border Service of Azerbaijan. Private companies have their own fishing boats.
As the government noted, the Air Administration is likely to be established shortly (its setting up has been also stipulated in the presidential decree on the Transport Ministry). However, restructuring of the AZAL State Concern is needed for that.