President Aliyev inaugurates new projects at Caspian Sea [UPDATE]

1 March 2021 16:58 (UTC+04:00)

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By Vafa İsmayilova

President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva today inaugurated in Baku the Surakhani tanker museum created for the first time in the world, Azertag reported on March 1.

They also inaugurated the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping company’s new administrative building.

On the same day, Aliyev took part in the launching of the Academician Zarifa Aliyeva ship and the commissioning of the first Ro-Pax Azerbaijan ferry.

Azertag reported that the establishment of the Surakhani tanker museum, which combines the past, present and future of seafaring with its ancient history, is another important step taken by President Ilham Aliyev as part of numerous projects launched in Azerbaijan through his support to preserve and study maritime traditions and history. It added that the choice of the Surakhani tanker as a museum is no coincidence as the ship was one of the largest and most modern tankers of its time.

During the ceremony, President Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva were informed about the sculptural composition raised in memory of Azerbaijani sailors.

After the inauguration of the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping company’s new administrative building on the same day, Aliyev familiarized himself with the building. He was informed that the building also contained a museum conveying the antiquity of the seafaring profession to visitors through visual aids and interactive presentations. Maritime symbols were widely used during the construction of the building, both externally and internally. All rooms of the building, equipped with modern technological systems, have all the conditions for effective operation, Azertag said.

During the launch of the Academician Zarifa Aliyeva ship and the commissioning of the first Ro-Pax Azerbaijan ferry, the president was reported that the Ro-Pax-type Academician Zarifa Aliyeva ship was built at the Baku Shipyard by the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping company’s order.

President Ilham Aliyev pressed the button indicating the launch of the Academician Zarifa Aliyeva ship. First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva cut the ribbon symbolizing the launch of the ship.

Ilham Aliyev and Mehriban Aliyeva were informed about the Azerbaijan ship. It was noted as part of this unique project new Ro-Pax ships and ferries will be put into operation in the Caspian Sea for the first time. As part of the inauguration ceremony, President Aliyev pressed the button announcing the commissioning of the ferry. It was noted that the ferry will carry passengers, cars and railcars. The president was informed that as a result of the work that has been carried out since 2013 to upgrade the fleet, 18 new ships were purchased and put into operation.