Kazakhstan has raised concerns over attacks on oil tankers in the Black Sea during talks with the head of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), highlighting the need to protect vessels carrying Kazakh crude.

Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom Alibek Bakayev met with IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, according to Nur.kz.

The security situation in the Black Sea was among the key issues discussed during the meeting.

Bakayev stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of commercial vessels, including tankers transporting Kazakh oil, while calling for secure shipping conditions and stable maritime routes vital to Kazakhstan’s foreign trade and global energy security.

Dominguez supported Kazakhstan’s position and stressed the importance of protecting civilian and commercial vessels. He said the IMO would continue to promote safe navigation and the protection of civilian maritime transport.

The talks also focused on the strategic role of the Caspian Sea in international transport and logistics networks.

Kazakhstan highlighted opportunities linked to the development of the maritime section of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor), growing cargo volumes across the Caspian Sea and the modernization of the Aktau and Kuryk ports.

These projects are expected to create new opportunities for trade and economic cooperation connecting Central Asia, China and Europe.

Dominguez pointed to a broad range of areas for further cooperation and confirmed the IMO’s readiness to support Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan has been a member of the International Maritime Organization, a specialized UN agency responsible for international standards on maritime safety, security and environmental protection, since 1994.