Uzbekistan's Deputy Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade Khurram Teshabayev has said that Uzbekistan is planning to establish a joint fleet on the Caspian Sea with Azerbaijan as part of broader efforts to strengthen transport links and improve cargo movement along the Middle Corridor.

Teshabayev said that Uzbekistan also plans to create a joint venture between Uztemiryulkargo JSC and the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO) to enhance multimodal freight transportation, The Caspian Post reports via Report.

"These initiatives will improve the efficiency of multimodal transport, make logistics chains more resilient, and reduce transportation costs for exporters," the deputy minister said.

Teshabayev noted that Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are continuing to work together to enhance the competitiveness of the Middle Corridor. The two sides are discussing additional support measures for Uzbek exporters, including discounts on cargo transshipment, integrated tariff solutions, streamlined logistics procedures, and priority handling for containerized and export cargo.

He also highlighted the strategic importance of the Baku International Sea Trade Port, describing it as a key gateway for Uzbek exports reaching global markets via the Middle Corridor and one of the region's most important logistics hubs.

"We highly value the efficiency of the port's infrastructure for Uzbek exporters. In recent years, cargo volumes along this route have grown steadily, the range of exported products has expanded, and cooperation between the transport and logistics operators of our two countries has continued to strengthen," Teshabayev said.