Minister: Uzbekistan to Launch Caspian Ferries to Cut Delays, Boost Trade

Uzbek Minister of Transport Ilhom Mahkamov has announced that Uzbekistan is set to launch its own ferries across the Caspian Sea in a strategic move to reduce cargo delays and enhance regional trade connectivity.

The initiative comes as part of broader efforts to strengthen Uzbekistan’s presence along the Middle Corridor, a critical trade route linking Central Asia with Europe via Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea, The Caspian Post reports, citing Uzbek media.

Mahkamov revealed that Uzbekistan has successfully negotiated the extension of preferential tariffs on rail container transport through Azerbaijan until 2026, following President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s recent visit to Baku.

“One of our key trade and logistics corridors runs through Azerbaijan,” Mahkamov said, emphasizing the importance of this route for Uzbekistan’s import and export of heavy cargo. “Thanks to the president’s visit, we’ve secured up to 70 per cent discounts on container and rail transportation through Azerbaijan until the end of next year.”

The minister noted that the launch of Uzbek-operated ferries is aimed at addressing growing backlogs in Caspian shipping, where cargo delays of up to 30-40 days have become common.

“We are actively negotiating with ferry operators,” he said. “Uzbek companies, in collaboration with Turkish partners, will soon operate their own ferries to ensure smoother cargo flow.”

The minister also pointed to the planned China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project as a major development that will boost transit volumes across the region and toward Azerbaijan.

“We’re ready,” Mahkamov said. “Infrastructure agreements are already in place to handle the expected increase in cargo traffic.”

The ferry initiative aligns closely with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s vision for deeper regional maritime cooperation. During past meetings, Aliyev had proposed expanding freight transport links into the Black Sea, offering partnership opportunities for Uzbekistan.

“We are expanding our presence in the Black Sea region,” Aliyev said. “We’ve added four Aframax tankers and welcome Uzbekistan’s interest in joint operations in this high-demand corridor.”

In parallel, both nations are also in talks to establish a joint logistics company under the Trans-Caspian Corridor framework, with plans to build warehouses and logistics hubs in Baku and other international ports.