BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 11. We have to re-examine our shipbuilding opportunities in the Caspian Sea, because orders are coming from neighboring countries, said President Ilham Aliyev as he addressed a meeting dedicated to the socio-economic results of six months of 2023, Trend reports.
“Our shipyard is calculated for the available shipping capacity. At the same time, we also took into account the decommissioning of ships that have been operating for many years. Because they fall into disrepair and must be upgraded. But there is a greater demand now – both our own and from neighboring countries. So, it is not ruled out that someday we can start expanding the production areas of the shipyard,” the Azerbaijani President noted.
"If we did not have a shipyard today, where would we be buying tankers and ships? This is a rhetorical question. No one can buy ships where we used to buy them. Therefore, it was a timely strategic step, and it was me who gave the instruction to expand the capabilities of the Alat International Trade Port. We have to do this too. Because our handling capacity is calculated for 15 million tons. This was enough for the previous period. After a year or two, it may not be enough. Again, I don't want to say anything in advance, but the negotiations with neighboring and partner countries show that it will be possible to transport several times more cargo through Azerbaijan," President Ilham Aliyev said.