Neptune drilling rig reaches Azerbaijan after seamless three-day tow

Spokesman for the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company’s (ASCO) Mehman Mehdiyev has said that the Neptune offshore drilling rig was successfully transported from the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijani waters, in a coordinated maritime operation led by ASCO, a subsidiary of AZCON Holding.

"The operation utilised six specialised vessels: Hovsan, Hovsan 2, SOCAR 1, Andoga, Shuvalan, and Mardakan," Mehdiyev told Caliber.Az.

The complex towing effort spanned three days and was completed without incident. ASCO confirmed that all safety protocols were strictly observed throughout the operation.

Today, “Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping” CJSC operates both offshore support and merchant fleets, in addition to managing two shipyards. The merchant fleet comprises 51 vessels, including 20 tankers, 12 ferries, 16 dry cargo ships, one Ro-Ro vessel, and two Ro-Pax vessels. 

The offshore support fleet includes 162 vessels, such as 21 crane ships, 8 tankers, 3 supply vessels, 2 tugboats, 15 combined supply and tug vessels, 21 passenger ships, 7 harbor tugs, 2 pipelay barges, 5 firefighting vessels, 4 geological survey ships, 10 diving support vessels, and 64 other auxiliary vessels. “Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping” CJSC also plays a vital role in the Europe-Caucasus-Asia Transport Corridor (TRACECA), facilitating cargo and passenger transport across the Trans-Caspian route. Additionally, the company provides offshore support services for oil and gas exploration and production activities.

By Naila Huseynova