Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan to resume passenger ferry service across Caspian

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are set to resume passenger ferry services across the Caspian Sea, which were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kazakh Ambassador to Azerbaijan Alim Bayel said.

According to Bayel, Kazakhstan has proposed restoring passenger services on the Kuryk Port–Baku Port–Kuryk Port ferry route. The service operated until 2020, when it was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The ambassador said about 1,500 passengers a year used the Caspian ferry service before it was halted. He expressed confidence that even more people would be interested in travelling on the route once passenger services resume.

The relaunch of the ferry connection is expected to boost passenger links between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, increase tourism exchanges and expand opportunities along the Middle Corridor, the ambassador said.

Azerbaijan has supported Kazakhstan’s proposal, Bayel added. The transport authorities of the two countries have begun work aimed at restoring passenger services as soon as possible.

At present, 37 flights operate between Baku and the Kazakh cities of Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, Aktau and Atyrau.

By Tamilla Hasanova