Uzbekistan explores ferry fleet for Caspian cargo routes

Uzbekistan is exploring plans to establish its own ferry operations across the Caspian Sea by leasing or purchasing vessels, Acting Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Shokhrukh Gulyamov said.

According to Gulyamov, the country continues to pursue the creation of a national ferry fleet as part of efforts to support economic growth and rising foreign trade volumes.

The Ministry of Transport has previously been instructed to assess options for acquiring or leasing ferries in cooperation with regional partners, including Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.

However, the project is expected to take time, as shipbuilding timelines are typically planned five to seven years in advance. Authorities are currently working with international “Big Four” firms and domestic transport operators to develop a viable model, which could involve either owned or leased vessels.

The planned ferry services would be used to transport Uzbek cargo through ports in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, improving regional connectivity and trade logistics.

By Tamilla Hasanova