Turkmenbashi International Seaport

{{Short description|Main passenger harbour and cargo port in Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan}}

{{Infobox port

| name = Türkmenbaşy International Seaport
Türkmenbaşy Halkara deňiz porty {{cite web | url=https://port.it.net.tm/?&dil=tm | title=Türkmenbaşy Halkara deňiz porty }}

| image = Turkmenbashy International Sea Port2.jpg

| image_size = 300px

| image_caption =

| country = Turkmenistan

| location = Türkmenbaşy, Balkan Region

| coordinates = {{coord|40|0|N|53|2|E|type:landmark_region:TM|display=inline,title}}{{cite web |title=Port of Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan |url=https://www.findaport.com/port-of-turkmenbashi |website=www.findaport.com |publisher=Shipping Guides LTD |access-date=29 April 2020}}

| locode = TMKRW{{cite web |title=UNLOCODE (TM) - TURKMENISTAN |url=https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/tm.htm |website=service.unece.org |access-date=28 April 2020}}

| opened = 1896

| operated = Turkmendenizderyayollary Agency{{Cite web|url=https://tmrl.gov.tm/ru/agency/organizations?organization_id=1|title="Türkmendeňizderýaýollary" Agentligi}}

| owner = Government of Turkmenistan

| type = passenger port, cargo port

| sizewater =

| sizeland =

| size = {{convert|150|ha|acre|abbr=on}} {{cite web |url=https://www.port.com.tm/ |title=Туркменбашинский Международный морской порт в 2000-2020 годах }}

| berths =

| wharfs =

| piers =

| employees = over 500

| arrivals =

| cargotonnage =

| containervolume =

| cargovalue =

| passengertraffic =

| leadershiptitle = Director {{Cite web | url=https://www.ittc.com.tm/en/speaker/439 | title=Speaker SEYITGULY BAISEIDOV | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211120009/https://www.ittc.com.tm/en/speaker/439 | archive-date=2023-12-11}}

| leader = Seýitguly Baýseidow

| website = {{URL|www.port.com.tm}}

}}

The Türkmenbaşy International Seaport ({{langx|tk|Türkmenbaşy Halkara deňiz porty}}) is the main passenger harbour and cargo port in Türkmenbaşy, Turkmenistan.

It is located in the eastern part of the Caspian Sea. Regular lines serve routes to Baku (Azerbaijan),{{Cite web|url=https://turkmenportal.com/en/blog/25255/mezhdunarodnyi-port-turkmenbashi-predlagaet-uslugi-gruzopassazhirskih-perevozok|title=The Turkmenbashi International seaport offers cargo and passenger transportation services | Economics}} Aktau (Kazakhstan) and Astrakhan (Russia).

It is the largest seaport in Turkmenistan.

History

File:Hafenviertel Türkmenbaschy.jpg

The port was founded in October 1896 on the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea.

On January 1, 1903, the Merchant marine port Authority was established.

Cargo traffic increased over the years, therefore, an idea occurred to build a ferry terminal. In 1959, the port began construction of a ferry. Regular voyages on the ferryline from Baku to Krasnovodsk started in 1962. The ferry terminal transportation has significantly accelerated cargo delivery.

In 2000–2003, a massive reconstruction project began. The old port was reconstructed along with construction of new berths for ships and warehouses and other facilities with modern equipment. This made it possible to provide port services at the highest level.

In 2013, the port built passenger catamaran "Charlak". It was the first shipbuilding project of this level in the history of the port.{{cite web|url=http://www.today.az/news/regions/117829.html|title=Turkey helps Turkmenistan to organize Caspian Sea cruises|website=Today.az|access-date=8 March 2019}}

On August 15, 2013 the construction of a new port began. It cost $2 billion and was built by Turkish company GAP İnşaat.{{Cite web |url=http://www.calik.com/en/PressReleases2013/2013/08/21/a-turkmen-port-for-the-silk-road?id=1fd2d01e-20f2-4b08-b804-ac23d13b5114 |title=A Turkmen Port for the Silk Road |access-date=2013-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004215835/http://www.calik.com/en/PressReleases2013/2013/08/21/a-turkmen-port-for-the-silk-road?id=1fd2d01e-20f2-4b08-b804-ac23d13b5114 |archive-date=2013-10-04 |url-status=dead }} At the groundbreaking ceremony was attended by President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.{{cite web|url=http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/17342.html|title=President of Turkmenistan and Turkish Prime Minister inaugurate project on construction of new Caspian Sea port |website=Turkmenistan.ru|access-date=8 March 2019}} Construction was completed in 2018.{{Cite web|url=http://turkmenbashiseaport.tm/en/page/about-Us-History|title=History {{!}} About us {{!}} International seaport|website=Turkmenbashiseaport.tm|access-date=2019-02-10}} The project involves the construction of the ferry, passenger and cargo terminals in 1 mln 200 thousand square meters. It is also planned to build a shipyard.{{cite web|url=https://in.reuters.com/article/turkmenistan-port-idINL6N0GG2CL20130815|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151215183517/http://in.reuters.com/article/turkmenistan-port-idINL6N0GG2CL20130815|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 15, 2015|title=Energy-rich Turkmenistan to build $2 bln Caspian Sea port|date=15 August 2013|website=In.reuters.com|access-date=8 March 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/18426.html|title=President of Turkmenistan inaugurates new Turkmenbashi International Seaport |website=Turkmenistan.ru|access-date=8 March 2019}}

Importance

The port has great geopolitical importance in Eurasia. Being on the trade route Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA), it is able to accommodate vessels throughout the year, around the clock to carry out loading and unloading operations. The port is a "sea gate", linking Central Asia to Europe by sea, road and rail routes and serves as a major transit hub in the region.

International cooperation

The port of Turkmenbashi has a connection with the ports of the following cities:{{Cite web | url=https://mmf.com.tm/services | title=A wide range of vessels for your needs | website=mmf.com.tm}}