BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 20. Turkmenistan is
taking measures to expand its national merchant fleet and develop
shipbuilding capacity to increase maritime transport capabilities
on the Caspian Sea.
This was reported by the press service of the Turkmen
government, following a digital meeting of the country's Cabinet of
Ministers.
Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan
Batyr Annaev presented a report on the development of the country’s
maritime transport sector during the meeting. According to the
report, the government is implementing measures to update the
technical base of the national fleet, including the construction of
new dry cargo vessels and modernization of existing ships.
"Comprehensive measures are being implemented to develop
shipbuilding, modernize the fleet, and build new dry cargo vessels.
This is intended to enhance our country's potential in this area,
improve relevant infrastructure, and increase cargo transportation
volumes," the report noted.
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov instructed
relevant authorities to continue expanding the capabilities of the
Balkan Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Plant and increase its
production and maintenance capacity.
The plant recently commissioned its first domestically built dry
cargo vessel, Gadamly. According to the report, the facility is
planned to build four to six vessels annually and provide technical
maintenance services for up to 30 ships.
The president also instructed the transport authorities to
continue cooperation with international partners, including South
Korean companies, in the development of shipbuilding projects. The
construction of new vessels, including the Menzil cargo ship, is
planned as part of these efforts. Turkmenistan is also working to
increase the role of its maritime infrastructure, including the
Turkmenbashi International Seaport, in regional cargo
transportation.
Earlier, in May, an official welcoming ceremony for the first
dry cargo ship "Gadamly" built in Turkmenistan has been held at the
Baku International Sea Port of Azerbaijan Railways.
Ambassador of Turkmenistan Gurbanmammet Elyasov said at an
official welcoming ceremony that "Gadamly" ship will operate in the
Caspian region, especially towards Azerbaijan.
He assessed the visit of the first dry cargo ship "Gadamly",
built entirely in Turkmenistan, to the Baku port as another
indicator of the development of cooperation in the field of
transport and logistics between the two countries. The ambassador
noted that the ship, with a carrying capacity of 6,100 tons, was
built at the Balkan Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Plant of the
Turkmenbashi International Sea Port in cooperation with a South
Korean company.
