Azerbaijan's ASCO dry cargo fleet boosts freight volumes 34% in H1 2026

Azerbaijan's dry cargo fleet significantly increased its freight volumes in the first half of 2026, with cargo shipments rising by more than a third compared with the same period a year earlier, according to the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO).

ASCO said its dry cargo vessels transported 894,305 tonnes of cargo between January and June, marking a 34% year-on-year increase from 666,182 tonnes carried during the first half of 2025.

The company's busiest month was March, when its fleet transported 200,910 tonnes of cargo. January recorded the lowest monthly volume, with 100,532 tonnes moved.

ASCO currently operates a fleet of 16 dry cargo vessels, including 14 multi-purpose ships and two Handysize bulk carriers, serving regional and international shipping routes across the Caspian Sea and beyond.

By Aghakazim Guliyev