In recent years, Turkmenistan has been actively carrying out projects to form a multi-vector logistics system. In particular, the infrastructure of the maritime transport network is expanding. One of such large-scale facilities commissioned in 2018 was the international port of Turkmenbashy on the Caspian coast.

Today, it is the largest international multipurpose terminal equipped with advanced technologies. Its capacity provides an opportunity to establish communications along the sea routes of the Near and Middle East, and the Indian Ocean.

The port gradually becomes the largest transport hub on a continent scale in the East-West and North-South directions. In addition, located on the Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA) trade route, the port is capable of handling ships throughout the year, carrying out loading and unloading operations around the clock. The port also connects Central Asia to Europe by sea, motor and rail ways, and is the largest transit hub in the region.

Practice shows that in recent years, the flow of passengers and vehicles transported to the Caspian ports through the sea gates of Turkmenistan by Ro-Pax class ferries “Berkarar” and “Bagtyar” has significantly increased. The quantity of cargo transit through the sea harbor of Turkmenbashy is growing. Vessels from various countries are unloaded at the berths. The port provides cargo transshipment. The quantity of goods imported and exported by Turkmenistan is increasing.

Industrial raw materials produced in Garabogaz such as polyethylene and polypropylene from the polymer plant in Kiyanly, petroleum coke from the Turkmenbashy Complex of Oil Refineries are regularly shipped from the seaport to Turkey, Russia, Romania and other countries.

The total capacity of the international seaport, excluding petroleum products, is 17 million tons of cargo annually. Control over the operation is conducted through satellite communications and automated systems.

The Balkan shipbuilding and ship repair plant opens up new opportunities for the domestic economy. It is capable of processing 12 thousand tons of steel annually, building four and repairing 20 ships.

The ultra-modern port has passenger and transport terminals located on an area of 230 thousand square meters. The terminal is designed to serve 300 thousand passengers and 75 thousand vehicles a year. Two ships can moor at the same time at the 250 meters long parking lot. The terminal provides parking for rail wagons and motor vehicles.

The terminal building is designed for 800 passengers. It has cash desks, cafes, shops, booths for passport control and customs clearance. There is a hotel at the terminal.

It should be noted that the port has stimulated public-private partnership in the transport and logistics sector of the country, where dozens of private companies have been established in recent years. In particular, more than 30 local companies cooperate with the port, and they also contribute to the development of its green infrastructure.

With the commissioning of the port of Turkmenbashy, Turkmenistan joined a number of international conventions in this area, including on civil liability for damage from oil pollution, on the prevention of pollution from ships, and on international regulations for preventing collisions of ships at sea. The port has established an emergency rescue service at sea to fulfill the requirements of obligations arising from the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea and the National Action Plan for the Caspian Sea.

The new port of Turkmenbashy has been issued a number of certificates and awards. The International Consulting Company “PricewaterhouseCoopers”, the German Logistics Transport Company “Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG” (HHLA) and the Dutch Company “Zeeland Seaports” presented their special certificates. Special awards for contribution to environment preservation were presented by the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology (Germany) and the University of Vienna.

The Turkmenbashy port was also included in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest port below sea level.

The international port at the Caspian Sea is characterized by the formation of a multimodal transport system in the region. Today, it provides a wide range of opportunities not only for maritime transport, but also for other modes of transport.