Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan advance Caspian ferry and cargo terminal plans
Kazakhstan’s Samruk-Kazyna sovereign wealth fund and Azerbaijan’s AZCON Holding have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to develop a new Trans-Caspian ferry system, alongside a separate agreement outlining plans for an intermodal cargo terminal at the Port of Baku.
The agreements were signed during a meeting in Kazakhstan between delegations led by Nurlan Zhakupov, Chairman of the Management Board of Samruk-Kazyna, and Shahin Babayev, Executive Director of AZCON Holding. The discussions focused on expanding transport, logistics and maritime cooperation between the two countries.
The first agreement establishes the main principles and areas of cooperation for the proposed Caspian Bridge, also referred to as the Super Ferry system. The initiative is intended to develop ferry connectivity across the Caspian Sea as part of wider efforts to strengthen transport links between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.
A second document, structured as a term sheet between Kazakhstan Temir Zholy and Azerbaijan Railways, sets out the principal terms for developing an intermodal cargo terminal and establishing a joint venture. According to AZCON, the proposed terminal would be located within the Baku International Sea Trade Port.
The terminal project is intended to support containerised and other cargo movements, with a particular focus on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor. The route connects transport networks across Central Asia and the Caspian Sea with onward links towards the Caucasus and European markets.
The combination of ferry services and intermodal terminal infrastructure is intended to improve connections between maritime and rail transport. Both elements are relevant to the movement of containers and other freight across the Caspian, where coordination between vessels, ports and inland transport networks is essential.
During the meeting, the two sides also exchanged experience in corporate governance and coordination between portfolio companies. Additional discussions covered cooperation along the Middle Corridor, dredging operations and other marine infrastructure projects.
The announcements establish a framework for further cooperation but do not confirm the start of construction or the launch of ferry operations. Neither party disclosed investment values, construction schedules, planned terminal capacity or the number of vessels envisaged for the Caspian Bridge system.
The agreements represent a further step in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan’s efforts to develop transport infrastructure and improve freight connectivity across the Caspian Sea, with the proposed projects focused on strengthening the movement of containerised and other cargo along the Middle Corridor.
