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  • 2008 December 18

    Azerbaijan State Caspian Shipping Company

    The volume of cargo carried by the Azerbaijan State Caspian Shipping Company (CASPAR) in the 9-month period of 2008 exceeded 8.5 mln t of cargo. In 2009 the company plans to obtain permits for 20 vessels to pass inland waterways of Russia. Aidyn Bashyrov, head of CASPAR tells PortNews IAA about the company’s results and implementation of its new projects.

     

    - Mr. Bashyrov, what are major results of the shipping company in 2008? 

    - In the 9-month period of 2008, the company’s transport vessels carried 8.540.9 million tonnes of cargo including 5.776.5 million tonnes of cargo transported by tankers, 1.316 million tonnes – by ferries and 1.448.4 million tonnes – by multi-purpose dry cargo carriers. The company’s result grew by 12.6% as compared with that of the previous year despite growing competition with other shipping companies operating at both the Caspian Sea and outside it. I think we will manage to escape the decrease and keep the growth dynamics in the future.

     

    - What is the fleet development program?

    - Our fleet comprises 79 transport vessels and 34 technical, auxiliary and service vessels with total deadweight exceeding 500,000 tonnes. Within the framework of Azerbaijan transport policy our main task is to renovate and upgrade material-and-technical base of our fleet. CASPAR permanently renovates its fleet having its vessels built according to latest achievements of shipbuilding.

    Last years saw considerable renovation of the company’s fleet.  In particular, Krasnoye Sormovo shipyard built a 5,885-dwt dry cargo carrier Maestro Niyazi (2002), 8,000-dwt oil cargo carriers Professor Aziz Aliev and Jalil Mamedguluzade (2003), 13,000-dwt vessels President Heydar Aliyev, Babak (2004), Shah Ismayil Khatai (2005), Ker-Oglu, Dede GorgudА.М.Gorki built the following vessels for CASPAR: Jabbar Gashumov, ro-ro carriers Academic Zarifa Alieva and Karabakh. One more 13,470-dwt vessel is under construction at Krasnoye Sormovo today. It’s commissioning is scheduled for late 2009.  (2006) and Znagezur (2008).  In 2008, Zelenodolsk shipyard called after

     

    - What are priority directions of the company’s transportations?

    - As of today, over 20 CASPAR vessels operate at the Black, Mediterranean, Adriatic and Red Seas. Vessels flying the flag of Azerbaijan call on over 130 ports of Europe, Asia and Africa. Tens of CASPAR vessels operate at the Caspian Sea.

    Nowadays, the priority is Trans-Caspian transportations involving sea-railway passenger-and-freight ferries and oil carriers.

     

     - What is the volume of cargo transported by CASPAR by Europe-Asia transport corridor?

    - CASPAR is the leading shipping company of the Silk Route’s Caspian sector and it plays a great role in the development of the Europe-the Caucasus-Asia Corridor (TRACECA). The volume of cargo transported by Azerbaijan State Caspian Shipping Company along Europe-Asia transport corridor is growing. In January-September 2008 itgrew by 7.9% to 4.806.4 million tonnes.

    TRACECA aimed at elimination of barriers on the way of transit cargo along Europe-Asia transport corridor got widespread appreciation. TRACECA is acknowledged today by leading international organizations as one of the most significant Europe-Asia transport corridors.

     

    - In 2007, the governments of Azerbaijan and Astrakhan region reached a principle agreement on commencement of truck transportation by vessels. How is it going on today?

    - If Azerbaijan State Caspian Shipping Companyhas an adequate cargo base it is ready to transport cargo to Astrakhan. Specialized vessels areavailable for that purpose.

    Mariya Favorskaya
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