BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 28. Caspian states involved in the international program TRACECA (Transport Corridor Europe-South Caucasus-Central Asia) are developing the concept of "optimal vessel" for transportation through the Caspian Sea, TRACECA's permanent representative in Azerbaijan Rufat Bayramov told Trend.
This issue came up due to the need to optimize the cost of transportation across the water reservoir.
"Many vessels involved in cargo transportation through the Caspian Sea are outdated. There is a need for new vessels that would meet the current conditions of work in this basin. Specialists, including those from ASCO and similar companies of the Caspian countries, have started consultations and are making calculations as to what characteristics the "optimal vessel" should have (length, width, cargo capacity). Each side presents its recommendations. Perhaps, next year they will be summarized, as the construction and operation of such vessels is one of the topical issues to increase the attractiveness of transportation corridors across the Caspian Sea," Bayramov said.
At present, due to the Caspian Sea shoaling, ports can only serve light-tonnage vessels (draft not more than four meters), and sometimes these vehicles can be loaded only 70-75 percent.
"Baku Shipyard" takes these realities into account and is open to accept orders for the construction of "optimal vessels".
ASCO has the largest fleet in the Caspian Sea (more than 50 vessels) and continues to replenish it with vessels for various purposes.