RESOLUTE STEPS IN DEVELOPING THE NATIONAL FLEET

Independence Day is one of the main public holidays in lur country. Turkmenistan is preparing to celebrate the 35th anniversary of sovereignty in the year being held under the motto: “Independent Neutral Turkmenistan – the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses.”

In a relatively short historical period, Turkmenistan has made great progress in economy, construction, science and culture and strengthened its status as a neutral state on the international arena. When talking about the achievements of our sovereign Motherland, it is impossible not to mention the outstanding progress in developing the national fleet.

Turkmenistan – a maritime power

Turkmenistan has no direct access to the oceans, but on the west, it is washed by the Caspian Sea, a priceless treasure with unique natural features and rich biodiversity and of economic and geopolitical significance. All this enables Turkmenistan to develop maritime transport, port infrastructure and the Avaza resort area, positioning itself as a maritime and transit power in the Caspian Sea region.

Through the efforts of the Hero-Arkadag, continued today by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the Caspian Sea has been recognised worldwide as a sea of peace, friendship and friendly cooperation. The First Caspian Summit, which was held on the initiative of Turkmenistan in Ashgabat in April 2002, marked an important stage in promoting regional interaction, creating the legal framework for cooperation and building trust among the Capsian states to address the issues related the legal status of the Caspian Sea and the protection of marine environment.

The Government of Turkmenistan has made tremendous work to unlock the economic potential of the Caspian Sea region, including transport and logistics capacities. In this regard, the Caspian Sea plays a significant role in the international transport system. The first important step to develop the national maritime fleet was the reconstruction of port infrastructure and the construction of the modern Turkmenbashi International Seaport. This cemented Turkmenistan’s position as a transport and logistics hub, linking Europe and Asia, facilitated the creation of international transport routes and expanded trade and economic ties.

The port has a potential for year-round handling of vessels and operates on a 24/7 continuous schedule. The Turkmenbashi International Seaport is a sea gateway linking Central Asia and Europe and the region’s largest transit transport hub. In recent years, the Turkmen vessels have started moving on many shipping routes. The national fleet is being replenished with cruise ships, yachts and other vessels. Turkmenistan orders the ships from the renowned shipyards in foreign countries to expand or modernise its fleet, as evidenced by the Rahat high-speed passenger and cruise ship that joined Turkmenistan’s fleet in July 2021. The ship was built in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, and is designed to carry passengers on scenic tours and to boost tourism in the Avaza national tourism zone.

The city of Turkmenbashi is a crossroads of all routes: waterways, motor roads, railways and air routes. Turkmenistan, as a maritime power, invites many countries, which it maintains mutually beneficial trade and economic relations with, to use its port and transport corridor.

A new sector ofthe economy

A route to many countries in Asia and Europe lies on the Turkmen shores of the Khazar Sea. Turkmenistan is the heart of the Great Silk Road that is currently being revived. Maritime transport is the primary backbone of its sea trade routes. In the past, our ancestors, who had long lived on the shores of the Caspian Sea, learned the art of shipbuilding. In ancient times, the so-called Nuh Ata was the patron saint of shipbuilders and makers of wooden floating crafts. The Turkmen people, living by the sea, built various floating crafts, from simple taymun fishing boats that closely resemble kayaks to large longboats and specialised vessels designed to transport seafood and oil. The noble legacy of these ancient shipbuilders is now in the skilful hands of young shipbuilders.

Time itself has tasked our country to boost shipbuilding and to build commercial vessels. The Balkan Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Yard OJSC was established for this purpose. This core technology implemented at the shipyards is intended to build and repair vessels.

Its production capacity is designed to process 10,000 tonnes of steel and, using modern technologies that meet international standards, build 4-6 ships a year. Furthermore, the shipyard has the capacity to process 2,000 tonnes of steel a year to repair 20-30 ships. The shipbuilding process encompasses all the stages of the production chain, ranging from material acceptance, including pre-processing operations, to final assembly and the launch.

Thefirstling of Turkmenistan’s shipbuilding industry

The activities of the Balkan Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Yard have marked a significant step in the shipbuilding industry. Today, it makes its contribution to the national economy and the maritime and river sector. The long-awaited launch of the firstling of Turkmenistan’s merchant fleet – the Gadamly dry cargo ship is a remarkable achievement, a memorable event for Turkmen shipbuilders and the people of our country.

This first Turkmen dry cargo ship, built for the State Service of Maritime and River Transport of Turkmenistan, meets international standards in every respect and is in no way inferior to other seagoing vessels. We should all be proud of this achievement of our country. This beautiful vessel has the impressive dimensions: 123 metres long, 16.5 metres wide, 8.30 metres high, with a cargo capacity of 6,100 tonnes and a cargo hold of 120 large or 250 small containers. The vessel can operate autonomously for 20 days.

The Korean specialists provided valuable assistance in their new endeavour for Turkmen shipbuilders. The project was implemented in collaboration with Koryo Shipbuilding Industry Technology Co., Ltd. from the Republic of Korea.

The Gadamly dry cargo ship impresses with its size, appearance and state-of-theart equipment. The vessel was launched at the end of last year. After commissioning work was completed, it embarked on its maiden voyage across the Khazar Sea in May this year, carrying cargo to the port of Baku, Azerbaijan. Today, the vessel runs a regular schedule between the ports of Turkmenbashi and Baku, helping expedite freight flows and improve logistics chain efficiency in the Caspian Sea.

The new vessel, Gadamly, symbolises the implementation of the state policy of creating a modern merchant marine. Today, specialists from the State Service of Maritime and River Transport of Turkmenistan, utilising existing material and technical infrastructure that annually reinforced with advanced equipment from global manufacturing leaders, ensure effective and smooth freight transportation.

Another important step to upgrade the national marine fleet with modern vessels is the Dostlug oil tanker, donated by the Republic of Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan. The tanker was built at the Baku Shipyard and presented to the Turkmen side as a sign of friendship on June 22 this year, during the state visit of President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov to the Republic of Azerbaijan. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov thanked the Azerbaijani side for the vessel and noted President Ilham Aliyev’s contribution to strengthening the bilateral relations.

“We are accepting this modern vessel as a symbol of fraternal relations between our peoples,” President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said, expressing belief that the oil tanker would contribute to the prosperity of the two countries and testify to the success of Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan cooperation.

Undoubtedly, the launch of the oil tanker will contribute to increasing freight turnover and expanding international transit freight transportation in the Caspian Sea.

In conclusion, it should be noted that during the years of independence, through the efforts of the President of Turkmenistan to create a modern merchant marine fleet in compliance with international standards, Turkmenistan’s water transport has been replenished by the state-of-the-art tankers, Ro-Pax ferries, harbour tugs and highspeed passenger vessels. These include the Gadamly dry cargo ship, built by domestic shipbuilders.

Plying the waters under the State Flag of Turkmenistan today, the dry cargo ship has opened a new chapter in domestic shipbuilding that has a bright future. We are rightfully proud of this great achievement of independence. Undoubtedly, new vessels will follow this firstling of Turkmenistan’s shipbuilding industry from the slipways of the Balkan Shipyard. May our beloved Motherland prosper and our maritime power grow stronger!

Eziz MATDIYEV,

the Deputy General Director at the

Balkan Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Yard OJSC,

member of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan