The issue regarding the construction of the second phase of the Baku International Sea Trade Port will be clarified in January next year, Taleh Ziyadov, Director General of Baku International Sea Trade Port, said in his statement to Report.
"The preparatory work for the second phase of Baku Port, including design, has already been completed. However, its implementation is still in the decision-making phase," Ziyadov added.
According to him, the first phase of the Baku Port construction was completed in 2018. Currently, the port's cargo handling capacity is 15 million tons annually, including 100,000 TEU containers. After the completion of the second phase, it is planned that the port will handle up to 25 million tons of cargo annually and process 500,000 TEU containers.
Discussing the results for 2024, Taleh Ziyadov stated: "Our indicators are above forecasts. For example, very high results have been achieved in container and TIR transportation. We expect these indicators to increase further next year. We particularly forecast an increase in import-export operations due to customs clearance. The biggest increase last year was observed in transit. This specifically refers to cargo transit from China to Europe. This is, of course, related to the Middle Corridor project. We want this growth to be sustainable."
In 2023, the Baku Port handled 7.4 million tons of cargo, 16% more compared to 2022. Transit cargo accounted for 5.3 million tons or 72% of the total cargo handling. During the reporting year, wagon handling decreased by 3.5% to 37,300 units. Of these wagons, 18,600 or 49.7% moved along the Baku-Turkmenbashi-Baku route, while 18,700 or 50.3% moved along the Baku-Kuryk-Aktau-Baku route.
Additionally, in 2023, the number of TIR trucks increased by 5.3% compared to the previous year, reaching 54,200 units. Of these vehicles, 25,800 (47.6%) were transported along the Baku-Turkmenbashi-Baku route, while 28,400 (52.4%) were transported along the Baku-Kuryk-Baku route. During the reporting period, container handling in TEU equivalent decreased by 16% to 43,900.
