BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 21.
A terminal should be built in Turkmenbashi for the organization of
container transit from China through Turkmenistan, the Deputy
Chairman of the Association of Freight Forwarders of Azerbaijan and
General Director of U.F.E. Shipping, Elmir Poladov, said at the
EU-Azerbaijan Business Forum in Baku on Wednesday, Trend’s correspondent
reports from the event.


According to him, lowering the level of the Caspian Sea requires
more large-scale measures than dredging the ports, since dredging
works will have to be carried out regularly if the water level
drops further.


He noted that the level of the Caspian Sea largely depends on
the volume of water coming from the Volga River, which is
shrinking.


"The bottom can be deepened by several meters or even five
meters every year, but next year the water level will drop again,
and it will be needed to carry out dredging works again and again,"
he explained.


Poladov also highlighted the potential of Turkmenistan in the
development of transportation along the Middle Corridor.


According to him, there is a sufficiently large and
well-equipped port in the country; however, in order to organize
container transportation from China to Azerbaijan through
Turkmenistan, a number of issues need to be resolved.







In particular, he pointed to the necessity of building a
container terminal in the port of Turkmenbashi and organizing a
feeder sea connection between Turkmenbashi and Alat.


Poladov expressed the hope that the implementation of already
existing projects will allow the transportation of container cargo
from China to Azerbaijan through Turkmenistan.


Meanwhile, the EU-Azerbaijan Business Forum is taking place in
Baku, marking the 30th anniversary of the partnership between the
European Union and Azerbaijan, as well as the 10th anniversary of
the forum. This year’s event is being held under the theme
“Bridging Corridors: Connectivity & Infrastructure.”


The main focus is on developing transport connectivity and
infrastructure, strengthening economic cooperation between the EU
and Azerbaijan, and expanding regional trade and investment.


The forum’s program includes high-level discussions, thematic
sessions, and business meetings involving representatives from the
public and private sectors.