The Astrakhan Region intends to determine the route operator for the planned shipping in the Caspian Sea between the ports of Olya (Astrakhan, Russia) and Turkmenbashy (Turkmenistan). Large shipping companies of the region are ready to provide their vessels for this route, TASS reports with reference to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Energy of the Astrakhan Region.

It has not yet been decided when it is planned to open a regular shipping line between the ports, the Ministry noted. At the same time, it was noted that the sea connection will contribute to the formation of additional cargo flow along the International Transport Corridor “North-South” and in the future will ensure the effective operation of the logistics center of Turkmenistan, which is planned to be created in the special economic zone (SEZ) “Lotus” in the Astrakhan Region.

“We will continue negotiations and are confident that in the near future the Turkmen side will begin implementing the project. The logistics center will become a platform for the transshipment of goods from Turkmenistan for their sale on the Russian market. The logistics center will be able to store, warehousing, prepare goods for transportation and sale, as well as exchange and wholesale trade in products,” the regional department added.

Recall that in 2023, negotiations were held in Astrakhan with the participation of representatives of Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan on the opening of regular shipping lines on the Caspian Sea between Russian ports and the Turkmen port of Turkmenbashy. It was noted that regular sea transportation will contribute to the economic growth of all participating countries.

It is assumed that the international multimodal corridor to Russia through the Caspian Sea will pass from Kyrgyzstan through the territory of Uzbekistan to the seaport of Turkmenbashy by land, with further transportation of goods by sea to the ports of the Russian Federation.