The Caspian Sea port of Turkmenbashi has started shipping cargo to the Russian port of Olya on the ferry Bagtyyar, the Turkmen Sea and River Routes (Turkmendeñizderýaýollary) agency reports. The Ro-Pax ferry is carrying 40 units of trucks with trailers filled with foodstuffs.
“This voyage is an important step in the development of trade relations between Turkmenistan and Russia” and demonstrates the ability of the national merchant fleet to transport perishable goods with timely delivery to their destination.
The “Bagtyyar” is equipped with modern safety and navigation systems, which guarantees the safety of the cargo.
Experts told Daryo that negotiations are also underway to create conditions for sending cargoes from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to Russia and Europe via the port of Turkmenbashi.
In addition, the Turkmen side is ready to open the way for transit shipments of grain from southern Russian regions across the Caspian Sea to the Persian Gulf countries and other markets. The port of Turkmenbashi can store goods in a free zone without paying customs duties for up to three years.
The modern Caspian port, which has expanded access to European countries and markets in the Middle East, began operations in2018. The $1.5bn project was implemented by Gap Inşaat (Turkey).
The total capacity of the port, excluding oil products, is 17mn tonnes of various cargoes per year. Four terminals are located on an area of more than 150 hectares: general cargo, containers, bulk cargo and car ferries.