The new dry cargo vessel set to operate on the Baku–Turkmenbashi route is expected to increase container transportation volumes between the two ports.
Head of the Baku International Sea Trade Port Eldar Salakhov stated that annual cargo volumes, currently around 26,000 TEU, could rise by 25–30% thanks to the new vessel.
According to him, the “Gadamly” vessel, with a carrying capacity of 6,100 tons and a capacity of 240 TEU, is the first dry cargo ship built at the Balkan shipyard in Turkmenistan and will operate in the Caspian Sea, particularly on the Turkmenbashi–Baku route.
Salakhov added that Turkmenistan plans to commission another similar vessel by the end of this year, which could further boost container traffic between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.
Currently, the Baku Port, through which part of the Middle Corridor cargo flow passes, has an annual container handling capacity of 150,000 TEU. Port management plans to increase this figure to 260,000 TEU by the end of this year or early next year through infrastructure expansion, procurement of new equipment, and dredging works.
Transport expert Rauf Agamirzayev noted that the importance of the Turkmenistan direction is growing further amid strengthened connections with Kazakhstan’s Aktau and Kuryk ports.
In his view, the development of railway and road infrastructure on the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea will help diversify cargo flows along the Middle Corridor and ensure more stable transportation routes through Azerbaijan.
Kazakhstan currently remains the main source of container cargo for Baku Port. Most of the more than 81,000 TEU handled annually consists of transit cargo moving from China to Europe.
In 2025, container transportation through Baku Port increased by 39.7% compared to the previous year, reaching 107,216 TEU. This year, the figure is expected to rise to 120,000 TEU.
Author: Naila Baghirova. Editor: Dmitry Antonov
