BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 22. CEO/General Director of Azerbaijan Maritime Engineering & Construction LLC (AMEC) Rashad Shakarov has told Trend about recommendations for expanding fleet of Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO) .
"As we are actively involved in various marine services, we conduct marketing research on what types of vessels are needed both for AMEC itself and for the Azerbaijani fleet to enhance efficiency in the Caspian Sea," he said.
According to him, many vessels in ASCO are outdated, and prompt fleet renewal is required.
"Azerbaijan is a cross point in the transportation route of goods from Asia to Europe and back, and the fleet must be able to effectively complete tasks," Shakarov noted.
He mentioned the need for ASCO and Azerbaijani ports to focus on acquiring a significant number of large modern dredging vessels (professionally called cutter suction dredgers) due to level drop in the Caspian Sea, and a pressing necessity for dredging activities to accommodate various vessels for cargo transportation and transit.
"Azerbaijani ports on the Caspian must be able to accommodate more cargo vessels and ensure their full loading. This will increase Azerbaijan's cargo turnover and the country's revenue. However, to achieve this, the channels in the port areas need to be dredged and expanded to service vessels," emphasized Shakarov. "Wide and deep channels in ports will allow for the reception of more vessels, positively impacting Azerbaijan's economic development. The issue of Caspian dredging needs to be addressed promptly. It is possible that there will be dredging in Alat port in 2024."
Besides, according to him, Azerbaijan needs additional crane vessels for loading and unloading operations, as well as auxiliary barges.
Speaking about the transport fleet of AMEC, Shakarov noted that the company has one modern cutter suction dredger on its balance sheet, which it acquired in 2023 (currently based in Aktau port), as well as two specialized barges.
"In 2024, we want to expand our fleet through the acquisition of vessels for cargo transportation, as well as a fleet of trucks in Azerbaijan to deliver goods to customers," added the CEO.
Shakarov highly praised Azerbaijan's transit and trade transport potential, expressing readiness of AMEC to enhance it.
Meanwhile, ASCO (the largest fleet on the Caspian Sea) currently has 54 vessels for various purposes on its balance sheet.
