SOCAR plans to arrange transit of Uzbek diesel via Kulevi port – EXCLUSIVE

The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) is considering the transit of diesel fuel from Uzbekistan to global markets via its terminal at the Black Sea port of Kulevi in Georgia, Head of SOCAR's Global Business Development Department Togrul Kocharli told Report.

"SOCAR Trading is currently shipping naphtha from Uzbekistan and delivering it to Black Sea ports. The product under consideration is diesel. We are talking about diesel fuel produced in Uzbekistan. If we reach an agreement, it will also be exported through our terminal in Kulevi," he said.

The department head noted that, unlike Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, which are long-standing business partners of Azerbaijan in the transit and export of national petroleum products to international markets, cooperation with Tashkent in this area began only this year.

"In fact, the foundation for joint work was laid much earlier within the framework of the three-year 'Turan' energy project established between the parties. However, its practical implementation and active operational activities started specifically this year," Kocharli added.