Baku, September 14, AZERTAC
“Georgia is building a new port and developing its existing ports. Azerbaijan is preparing to deepen Baku. Kazakhstan is doing the same. This is more than three separate port-development projects. It is becoming a regional maritime infrastructure story,” Lasha Amashukeli, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Royal Express, told AZERTAC.
From a shipping and logistics perspective, he said, what is particularly interesting is that these investments are developing both sides of the Caspian–Black Sea connection at the same time.
“The real opportunity will come if vessel capacity, ports, rail connections and hinterland infrastructure develop together. The Port of Baku is expected to begin dredging in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian in late 2026, with the works expected to continue for around 18 months. The project reportedly covers both the port basin and access channel, with an operational depth of around 8.8 meters planned across channels and berths. That has a direct implication for the type of tonnage that can realistically operate through Baku,” the expert noted.
According to him, Kazakhstan is also investing in dredging and modernization around Aktau and Kuryk.
“If Baku, Aktau and Kuryk increase their reliable maritime capacity, the pressure will move west. The new Anaklia port, modernization and expansion of existing facilities, railway connectivity and hinterland infrastructure are all pieces of the same logistics chain. If Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Georgia develop in parallel, the Middle Corridor has the potential to become much more than an alternative route. It can become a more reliable multimodal trade system connecting Central Asia with the Black Sea and Europe,” the expert concluded.
Source: azertag.az
scorpion.az