BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 18. Under the policy defined by the head of the Azerbaijani state in the field of maritime transportation, constant measures are taken to build new ships and expand the fleet with modern vessels, Trend reports.
According to information, the work done in this sphere plays an important role in maintaining the country's leading position in the Caspian Sea, meeting the growing demand for transit transportation through the territory of Azerbaijan, expanding activities in external waters, and realizing offshore oil and gas projects.
Under the measures implemented following the fleet renewal strategy, 35 modern vessels have been put into operation only since 2013 - the period of ASCO's establishment. These include five tankers, one Aframax tanker, eight multipurpose dry cargo ships, two Handysize dry cargo ships, two Ro-Pax ferry vessels, one supply and towing vessel, seven supply vessels, one port tug, three passenger vessels, and five small towing vessels.
Of these vessels, one harbor tugboat, three passenger vessels, two Ro-PAX ferries, four tankers, and 10 vessels in total were built at Baku Shipyard. Also, in compliance with the ASCO strategic development program, new orders for the construction of 11 more vessels, including one Ro-PAX type ferry, three tankers, three passenger vessels for 50 persons, and four diving vessels designed to work at depths of 60 and 45 meters, have been placed at Baku Shipyard.
In addition, successful projects on the commissioning of larger vessels of a new type in international waters have been implemented over the last period on the instructions of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. Since 2023, seven large vessels have been commissioned in international waters, five of which are Aframax tankers and two Handysize dry bulk carriers. Meanwhile, four Aframax tankers were acquired by a joint venture established by ASCO and Socar.
