Development of shipping industry in focus
By Nigar Abbasova
Azerbaijan continues implementation of certain measures in an effort to enter a qualitatively new level of industrialization. The state has highly prioritizing the development of the shipping industry and improvement of the maritime infrastructure in Azerbaijan in recent years.
The preparation of the State Program on Development of Shipping in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2016-2020, approved by the President Ilham Aliyev, is considered to be among the weighty steps taken to strengthen and improve the sphere.
The program envisages renewal of the transport and specialized
offshore fleet, expansion of activities outside the Caspian Sea,
increase of the volume of freight transportation through the
territory of the country, modernization of shipbuilding and
maintenance yards and improvement of the academic base of marine
education, as well as implementation of certain measures to turn
the country into major transport-logistics hub of international
importance
.
The program covers capital overhaul of Bibiheybat and Zykh Ship Repair Yards (belonging to Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping), which are engaged in the provision of maintenance and repair operations for vessels, including installation and dismounting of vessel system and facilities, electrical and radio navigation equipment, engines and devices, cleaning and painting works. The overhaul operation in Zykh Yard is planned to be implemented in 2016-2018, while the modernization of Bibiheybat Yard is scheduled for 2016-2020.
Moreover, the program envisages implementation of measures to turn Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company into an authoritative navigable company, which will implement competitive transportation that meet all international standards. The program also stipulates opening foreign representations of the company in 2016-2020, construction of new vessels for the implementation of operations outside the Caspian.
The Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping CJSC (ACS), which will be responsible for the implementation of the state program, is comprised of the offshore support and merchant fleets and two shipyards. The company plays a connecting role in the Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA), provides marine transportation of goods and passengers, as well as offshore support services for oil and gas operations.
The priorities of the company include increase in effectiveness of international transportation, expansion of business relations with potential partners in the basin of the Caspian and beyond. Some three vessels of the company, including “Garadagh”, “Teymur Ahmadov”, and “Maestro Niyazi” were sent to the Black Sea-Mediterranean basin in 2015. As many as 11 dry cargo vessels of Caspian Shipping Company are operating outside the Caspian Sea, while the number of dry cargo vessels operating among ports of Caspian Sea littoral states is 14.
Shipping is considered to be the least environmentally damaging
form of commercial transport, as well as a comparatively minor
contributor to marine pollution. Nearly 90 percent of world trade
is implemented by means of the international shipping industry,
which facilitates imports
and export
procedures.
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Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova
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