Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is the largest lake on Earth by both area and volume. It is bordered by Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. It has a surface area of 371,000 km². The ports of the littoral states include key trading hubs in international transport corridors and the new Silk Road; including Baku, Aktau & Astrakhan. The sea has become topical since the Russian invasion of Ukraine (started 24.02.2022) as traders seek routes which do not pass through Russian territory. The heavily-sanctioned states of Russia and Iran also have interests in the Caspian Sea’s transport capacity.
Freight turnover of Russian seaports for 5 months of 2021 decreased by 2.7%
The cargo turnover of Russian seaports in January-May 2021 decreased by 2.7% compared to the same period last year, amounting to 340.55 million tons –...
Port of Baku upgrades role with container train links to Black and Mediterranean Seas via the TURKUAZ project
Baku, Azerbaijan (Ports Europe) June 10, 2021 – A new container express block train, part of the TURKUAZ project, will further enhance the role of...
Port of Baku starts the construction of a strategic fertiliser terminal
Baku, Azerbaijan (Ports Europe) June 9, 2021 – The Port of Baku has announced the start of construction of a fertiliser terminal at its new facility...
Analysis – A new Caspian Sea-Black Sea transport corridor to link port of Baku with Turkey’s Samsun and Trabzon, could diminish Poti port
Baku, Azerbaijan (Ports Europe) June 9, 2021 – Construction of the Azerbaijani section of the railway to Azerbaijan’s landlocked exclave of...
Analysis – New container and breakbulk shipping line: from Yarimca, via Don-Volga rivers canal, into Aktau and Turkmenbashi, then to China and back
Yarimca, Turkey (Ports Europe) June 7, 2021 – The big losers of the yet to be launched new container and breakbulk shipping line, linking Marmara (Yarimca...
Port of Burgas cargo volumes rise to pre-pandemic levels
Burgas, Bulgaria (Ports Europe) May 24, 2021 – Cargo turnover of the state-owned Port of Burgas, one of the seven port operators in the Gulf of Burgas,...
P&O Maritime Logistics launches new inland river route from Caspian Sea to DP World Yarimca
A new container and breakbulk shipping line from Marmara to the Caspian Sea, via the Russian inland waterways, saw the completion of its trial voyage at the...
Russian seaport freight traffic down over 4% in Jan-Apr 2021
Moscow, Russia (Ports Europe) May 17, 2021 – In the first four months of this year, cargo turnover of Russian seaports was 268.81 million tons, down 4.2%...
Ferry line planned between Caspian ports of Makhachkala and Turkmenbashi
Makhachkala, Russia (Ports Europe) May 9, 2021 – Makhachkala Sea Commercial Port JSC, on Russia’s west Caspian Sea coast, plans the opening of auto and...
Privatisation process for Makhachkala port started, part of Russia’s development drive in the Caspian region
Makhachkala, Russia (Ports Europe) May 6, 2021 – Makhachkala Sea Commercial Port JSC, located on Russia’s west Caspian Sea coast, has been included in the...
Russia looks to develop Astrakhan port facilities
Moscow, Russia (Ports Europe) April 22, 2021 – The Minister of Transport, Vitaly Savelyev, has held discussions with Igor Babushkin, governor of the...
Ukraine Foreign Ministry statement on Russia restricting free navigation in the Black Sea
The Russian Federation has announced that starting the next week and until October 2021, a part of the Black Sea in the direction of the Kerch Strait would be...
104% growth in rail transit in Amirabad port
Amirabad, Iran (Ports Europe) April 9, 2021 – Director General of Amirabad Ports and Maritime Affairs, Mohammad Ali Asl Saeedipoor, said that in the last...
Turkic Council holds meetings on Trans-Caspian Corridor
Consultations on facilitating transportation through Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor (Middle Corridor) were held on 5-7 April 2021 in Baku with the...
Caspian Sea ports handled 1% of cargo of all Russia’s ports, but that might change soon
Makhachkala (Ports Europe) March 17, 2021 – The cargo turnover of the Russian Caspian Sea ports of Makhachkala, Astrakhan and Olya in January 2021...
Makhachkala port to be privatised
Makhachkala, Russia (Ports Europe) March 16, 2021 – Makhachkala Sea Commercial Port JSC, on Russia’s west Caspian Sea coast may be offered for...
ADY Express transports grain, wheat bran from Russia to Turkey
Baku, Azerbaijan (Ports Europe) March 16, 2021 – ADY Express LLC, part of Azerbaijan Railways, has transported grain and wheat bran from Russia to Turkey...
Russian Railways to invest in development and renovation of the North Caucasus Railway
Rostov-on-Don, Russia (Ports Europe) March 8, 2021 – North Caucasus Railway has reported that it will allocate RUB 30 billion for the development and...
Iran’s Astara port increase exports
Tehran, Iran (Ports Europe) March 4, 2021 – Exports from Astara port in Northern Iran has increased 82% since the beginning of current Iranian calendar...
Azerbaijan’s Railways transshipment offer to Argentina via Mersin and Poti ports
Baku, Azerbaijan (Ports Europe) February 25, 2021 – Azerbaijan Railways (AZD) has proposed the transportation of goods and a primary route scheme for...