Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping CJSC has launched Shahdag ferry for traffic on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, the CJSC said in a message.
The message says that the ferry has been launched after a major overhaul.
Main and auxiliary engines, various systems, steering wheel and other mechanisms, as well as premises and accommodation were modernized during the overhaul, which started in late September, according to the message.
Shahdag ferry will operate on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, on the Baku-Aktau-Baku and Baku-Turkmenbashi-Baku lines.
Depending on the volume of freight traffic, the company’s vessels are being kept in reserve or being returned back into operation that allows cutting expenses. Considering the significant growth in freight traffic volumes, Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping decided in December 2015 to use a number of standby ferries.
The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route runs through China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and then through Turkey and Ukraine to Europe.
The first test container train from China arrived at the Baku International Sea Trade Port on August 3, 2015.
The agreement to create the Trans-Caspian International Transportation Consortium was signed in April in Baku by the railway authorities of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Kazakhstan. New competitive tariffs were introduced for the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route since June 1. (Trend/Business World Magazine)