The AZCON–AD Ports Group agreement signed in Shusha on September 16, 2025, can be considered a turning point in the history of shipping and logistics in the Caspian Sea region.
According to the agreement, the construction of two 780 TEU capacity container ships is planned at the Baku Shipyard. This project will be completed by 2028, and when the ships are put into operation, they will be the largest container ships in the Caspian Sea.
Economic and logistical impacts
Strengthening of the Middle Corridor: The ships will increase the cargo capacity of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route connecting Asia and Europe, shorten transit time, and make the route competitive.
Impact on the regional market: The increasing trade volume in the Caspian basin required high-capacity vessels for container transportation. This project will fill that gap.
Additional opportunities: The volume of cargo transported through Azerbaijan will increase, reinforcing the country's position as a logistics center.
Geopolitical significance
AD Ports Group's entry into the Caspian Sea is not only an economic but also a strategic signal. By investing in the Middle Corridor, the Emirates' largest logistics company demonstrates international confidence in the future of this route. Azerbaijan's geoeconomic position further strengthens its role as a connecting bridge between the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
A new chapter for Baku Shipyard
The agreement is also a historic event for the Baku Shipyard – for the first time, an international company places an order for the construction of cargo vessels. This shows that the shipyard's technical potential and production capabilities meet global standards.
Conclusion
This project will change the scale of the shipping sector in the Caspian Sea and transform Azerbaijan not only into a transit country but also into a regional maritime-logistics power. These 780 TEU capacity ships will be the largest container ships in the Caspian Sea and will make an important contribution to the sustainable development of the Middle Corridor.
Rauf Agamirzayev,
Member of the Public Council under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, transportation issues expert
