Uzbekistan may buy ferries from Turkmenistan for Caspian Sea transport

ASHGABAT. Aug 25 (Interfax) - Uzbekistan is discussing the possibility of purchasing ferries from a shipbuilding plant in Turkmenistan, Uzbek Transport Minister Ilkhom Makhkamov said in an interview with the Uzbekistan 24 television channel.

Having its own ferries will speed up cargo delivery across the Caspian Sea and reduce transport congestion, Makhkamov said.

Following the trilateral Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan summit held on August 23 in Turkmenistan's Avaza, a memorandum on transport and logistics cooperation was signed with Ashgabat, he said.

The document provides for the creation of joint ventures that will ensure seamless and timely cargo passage. It envisions granting certain preferences for cargo transportation in both directions, as well as transit through Uzbekistan.

In addition, Makhkamov and Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister Mammethan Chakiyev signed a memorandum of understanding on developing cooperation in shipbuilding.

"We agreed that we will analyze and consider the issue of acquiring vessels from Turkmen shipbuilding plants," Makhkamov said, adding that the signed document will make it possible to freely work out all technical and economic issues.

"For Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan are of key importance in the field of transport and logistics, as both countries are important participants in the Middle Corridor [the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route]," Makhkamov said.

"For Uzbekistan, the development of the Middle Corridor is currently one of the highest-priority and relevant [areas]," he said.

"Both Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan are direct participants in the Middle Corridor. And both states, which have port facilities and ensure timely and safe transportation and crossing across the Caspian Sea, play a key role," he said.

The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route is an international transport corridor that runs through China, Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia and further to Turkey and European countries.