WB: ASCO needs to expand fleet to eliminate Middle Corridor bottlenecks on Caspian Sea

Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping CJSC (ASCO) should accelerate the expansion of its fleet with feeder container ships and Ro-Pax vessels to eliminate bottlenecks on the Caspian segment of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, Report informs, citing a World Bank update titled "Integration: World-Class Trade Logistics along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor."

World Bank analysts emphasize that the main cause of cargo delays on the Caspian section remains the lack of regular shipping services and a shortage of specialized shallow-draft container ships.

The World Bank suggests that ASCO align its vessel sailing schedules with maritime operators in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to form a unified feeder pool. According to expert estimates, this measure would reduce ship idle time while waiting for processing at the Port of Alyat to less than 12 hours.

In addition to its merchant fleet, ASCO's structure includes a specialized fleet and ship repair yards. The merchant fleet consists of 56 vessels, including 23 tankers, 13 ferries, 16 dry cargo ships, 2 Ro-Ro vessels, and 2 Ro-Pax vessels.

The specialized fleet comprises 200 vessels, including 21 crane vessels, 8 tankers, 3 supply vessels, 3 tugs, 21 anchor-handling tug supply vessels, 6 port tugs, 23 passenger vessels, 2 pipe-laying vessels, 5 firefighting vessels, 5 geotechnical survey vessels, 5 barges, 10 diving support vessels, 5 dredging vessels, as well as 83 service and auxiliary craft.