The Kazakhstan Caspian port Aktau handled 682,000 tons of bulk oil cargo in January 2006, which is for 121,000 tons less of January 2005 РіРѕРґР°, the Aktau port spokesmen told Trend. Handling in December 2005 was 800,000 tons.
The current throughput capacity of the Aktau port is over 11 million of bulk oil cargo a year. The port was officially opened in September 1999.
The government of Kazakhstan may allocate from the budget and borrow up to $58 million under its guarantees for the port capacity increase. Updating of the port envisages construction of two universal dry cargo berths, two berths for handling of general cargo and the oil terminal. Renovation which will enable to increase the total handling of goods (mostly oil and oil products) up to 15 million tons a year will cost $100 million.
In 2005 РіРѕРґСѓ Рђktau handled 8,9 million tons of bulk oil cargo, which is 7% more of 2004.