SOCAR Trading is expanding its footprint in Central Asia by launching exports of Uzbek naphtha to Black Sea ports, marking a significant step in the company's regional growth strategy.

Speaking at the business forum held during the 28th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) in Baku, SOCAR Trading's Head of Global Business Development, Togrul Kocharli, said the company has begun shipping naphtha produced in Uzbekistan to Black Sea export terminals, The Caspian Post reports via Report.

Kocharli highlighted Azerbaijan's growing role as a strategic transit hub, connecting energy supplies from Central Asia with international markets through the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.

He noted that SOCAR's primary export gateway is the Kulevi Oil Terminal in Georgia, where the company operates key export infrastructure for crude oil and petroleum products. Cargo flows through the terminal are already supported by financing from the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank.

Kocharli said that the bank's credit facilities also help finance crude oil purchases for the STAR Refinery, which is owned by SOCAR, while supporting the company's downstream operations in Georgia by ensuring competitive pricing and reliable fuel supplies.

SOCAR Trading has long been active in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, exporting nearly 4 million tonnes of crude oil annually from the two countries to global markets.

"This year we have added Uzbekistan to that list," Kocharli said, announcing that SOCAR Trading has started exporting Uzbek-produced naphtha to Black Sea ports, further strengthening Azerbaijan's role as a regional energy and logistics hub connecting Central Asia with global markets.