Mr. Asset Assavbayev, the Secretary General of the PS IGC TRACECA, engaged in discussions with representatives from the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Baku International Sea Trade Port CJSC, and Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company CJSC regarding the future of transit cargo transportation through Azerbaijan. The meeting focused on the Baku port’s activities, its capacity, transported goods statistics, and potential development prospects. To enhance efficiency, Mr. Assavbayev suggested diversifying cargo transportation options, aiming to prevent congestion in the seaport and reduce transit times.
The participants explored the use of universal vessels for semi-trailer transportation, emphasizing the need for efficient loading and unloading processes using connectors. Baku International Sea Trade Port CJSC and Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company CJSC highlighted their efforts to reduce processing times and proposed addressing waiting and processing duration at the port of Kuryk. Delays due to document processing issues by road carriers were also acknowledged, constituting 20-30% of delays. The adverse weather conditions in October-December 2023 were discussed as a factor contributing to port congestion, prompting the need for coordinated measures among Caspian ports to enhance transportation efficiency.
The meeting underscored the importance of introducing a unified payment system for carriers, aligning with Black Sea seaport practices, to streamline fee collection. Mr. Azer Aliyev proposed TRACECA-hosted meetings involving Azerbaijani, Kazakhstani, and Turkmenistani ports, along with government agencies, to address Caspian Sea cargo transportation comprehensively. Secretary General Mr. Assavbayev agreed, suggesting a collaborative action plan and expressing interest in sharing real-time information on waiting cargo vehicles on the Baku port’s website. The participants agreed conceptually to continue collaborative efforts, involving customs authorities, to address organizational challenges and enhance cargo transportation approaches.
Furthermore, some participants visited the cargo vehicle waiting area to assess the current situation and gather feedback from drivers. The drivers reported an approximate waiting period of 3-4 days at the port, with assigned queue numbers regulating loading order on vessels since arrival.