Azerbaijan Proposes Caspian-Black Sea Tunnel to Address Water Crisis

Azerbaijan has put forward an ambitious proposal to link the Caspian and Black Seas through an underground water tunnel.

This project could provide Kazakhstan with the long-desired direct access to the world’s oceans and help address the declining water levels that are threatening Caspian Sea ports, The Caspian Post reports citing Kazakh media.

According to port officials, falling water levels have reduced cargo capacity by up to 1,000 tons per ship, with the potential for shipping to halt entirely if the trend continues. Kazakhstan plans to deepen Aktau’s seabed this year, partly funded by Kazakhstan Temir Zholy.

Additionally, the sand from dredging will be used to expand Kazakhstan’s coastal land by 171 hectares. Plans are also underway to open the country’s first cruise terminal with border control on the Caspian.

Since 2006, the Caspian’s water level has dropped by two meters, posing serious regional trade and infrastructure risks.