ASCO Director Alakbar Azizli outlines adaptation strategies for navigation amid the ongoing shallowing of the Caspian Sea
The compounding regression of the Caspian Sea water level is forcing maritime operators to adopt innovative operational strategies and stricter navigational controls.
Sea-news.az reports that Alakbar Azizli, Director of Sustainability and Emissions Management at Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping CJSC (ASCO), highlighted these measures on the second day of Baku Climate Action Week 2026 (BCAW 2026).
Addressing the severe engineering challenges posed by receding waters around port infrastructure, Azizli explained the limitations of traditional dredging: “You can only dredge around a pier up to a certain point before risking structural damage to the pylons. While we do carry out dredging where feasible, we face a strict red-line threshold. With water levels dropping by more than 20 centimeters annually, if this trend persists, we won’t just be able to keep digging—we will have to physically extend the piers. That is one primary long-term solution. Yes, we can dredge navigation channels without issue, but piers and marine terminals present an entirely different engineering challenge.”
Detailing how ASCO is immediately responding to these environmental pressures, Azizli emphasized that the shipping company is prioritizing rigorous risk management and safety protocols: “As a shipping operator, what are we doing right now? We are focusing intensely on managing and optimizing our navigational safety with maximum precision. We constantly review nautical charts and issue timely updates and course corrections to our vessel captains. We do not tackle this alone; the State Maritime Agency of Azerbaijan provides invaluable support in this domain. Ultimately, our core tools are clear communication, heightened situational awareness, and exercising extreme caution while navigating.”
