Uzbekistan Weighs Ferry Purchases from Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan

Uzbekistan is considering buying ferries from Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan to strengthen its cargo transport capacity across the Caspian Sea, Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov said in an interview with national broadcaster «Uzbekistan 24.»

According to the minister, both countries operate shipbuilding facilities capable of producing the vessels Uzbekistan needs. The ferries would be deployed to expand freight services along the Trans-Caspian route, a corridor that is becoming increasingly important for regional trade and logistics.

Plans for cooperation in shipbuilding are not new. In autumn 2023, Azerbaijani outlet Vesti.az reported that Tashkent and Baku were preparing to launch joint ferry production, with an estimated investment of up to $150 mln. The two sides also discussed developing supporting warehouse infrastructure.

Makhkamov earlier indicated that Turkish partners could also be involved in the project. Analysts at the Ministry of Transport’s research center believe the creation of a national fleet would significantly boost Uzbekistan’s transit potential by providing more reliable cargo flows across the Caspian.