The Azerbaijan State News Agency

OFFICIAL NEWS

President Ilham Aliyev attended ceremony to launch first tanker built at Baku Shipyard and commissioning of “Azerbaijan” ferry boat VIDEO

Baku, December 13, AZERTAC

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended a ceremony to launch the first tanker built at Baku Shipyard on the order of the Azerbaijan Caspian Sea Shipping Closed Joint-Stock Company and the commissioning of “Azerbaijan” ferry boat.

Chairman of the Azerbaijan Caspian Sea Shipping Company Closed Joint-Stock Company Rauf Valiyev informed the head of state about the tanker.

The first oil tanker “Lachin” was built by local specialists on the design of the Odessa Bureau of Marine Engineering.

Rauf Valiyev: Actually, this is the first time in the history of Azerbaijan. There was a great need for that. In fact, it was built in Azerbaijan from scratch.

President Ilham Aliyev: This shows again that we made the right decision. The construction of a shipyard is indeed a major event. All the vessels we need can now be produced in Azerbaijan. Both a tanker and a ferry have been built here for the first time in history.

Rauf Valiyev: Mr. President, the tanker is 141 meters long and 16.9 meters wide. The weight of the vessel is 7,875 tons.

President Ilham Aliyev: Was the project developed here?

Rauf Valiyev: Yes, this is a Volga-Don MAX project. The tanker can pass through the Volga-Don canal and has the maximum load capacity. Unlike others, it is capable of passing through this canal with a cargo of more than 4,000-5,000 tons.

President Ilham Aliyev: Usually smaller vessels can pass through Volga-Don. Can this one go too?

Rauf Valiyev: Yes, it is able to go through there with a maximum load of 5,600 tons.

President Ilham Aliyev: Very good! How many of such tankers have we built?

Rauf Valiyev: In total, we have 20 tankers. With your support, four have been ordered and are now under construction.

President Ilham Aliyev: And the plant is working. Jobs have been created. We provide the plant with orders ourselves now. Most of the financial burden on the construction of ships has been assumed by the Caspian Shipping Company, right?

Rauf Valiyev: Yes, 30 percent is provided by the state.

President Ilham Aliyev: Thirty percent is provided by state and 70 percent by shipping company. This suggests that the shipping company works with a profit that does not go out and stays in Azerbaijan. Tankers and ferries are produced in Azerbaijan. So the money stays in our country. There was a time when the Caspian Shipping Company received subsidies from the state, paying only 1 million manats in taxes. But measures were taken afterwards, including personnel reforms. Now the Azerbaijan Caspian Sea Shipping Company has reached excellent standards and operates as an international company.

Rauf Valiyev: Thank you very much, Mr. President, with your support.

President Ilham Aliyev: Today we have the largest fleet in the Caspian – we have more than 200 vessels. New vessels are being commissioned. Their number will grow.

It should be noted that the “Lachin” tanker will not only provide transportation of oil and oil products in the Caspian, but also the transportation of liquid cargo to other basins through the Volga-Don and Volga-Baltic canals. The construction of a new generation tanker is yet another success of the Baku Shipyard, which plays an important role in strengthening the economic and industrial potential of Azerbaijan. At present, negotiations are under way on the construction of various ships that are necessary for the fleet of the Closed Joint-Stock Company “Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company”. Among them are dry cargo vessels, container ships, cranes, fire-fighting, supply and transport vessels, tugboats.

President Ilham Aliyev pressed the button symbolizing the commissioning of the “Lachin” tanker.

President Ilham Aliyev: Azerbaijan will provide the plant with orders itself. Please try to be able to provide these services to neighboring countries in order to earn more.

Rauf Valiyev: The first vessel was named by you, “Azerbaijan”.

President Ilham Aliyev: Yes, it should be called "Azerbaijan". Where was this project designed?

Rauf Valiyev: This project was also designed by the Odessa Marine Engineering Bureau. Our company cooperates with it. This vessel will be able to take on board more automobiles and TIR trucks than others.

President Ilham Aliyev: Is it bigger than the other ferries we have?

Rauf Valiyev: Yes, it can take on 56 wagons and 50 TIR trucks. We made it multifunctional. That is, in addition to wagons and TIR trucks, it can also take 100 passengers.

President Ilham Aliyev then attended a ceremony to launch Ro-Pax type ferry boat “Azerbaijan” built at Baku Shipyard which will carry the first passengers, cars and railway vehicles.

President Ilham Aliyev pressed the button symbolizing the commissioning of the “Azerbaijan” ferry boat.

Rauf Valiyev: Mr. President, over the past 20 years, together with our partners we acquired 10 vessels of this type. But they are all a little smaller than this one.

President Ilham Aliyev: Is five vessels enough for us?

Rauf Valiyev: So far it is. Typically, vessels of this type are delivered under pre-signed long-term contracts. We simply acquired them taking into account further needs and the current situation. All the vessels acquired today are specified in the contract. We received five of them this year, four last year and two more earlier. All of the 11 ships we have delivered over two years are stipulated in the contract.

President Ilham Aliyev: Are there any idle vessels?

Rauf Valiyev: No.

President Ilham Aliyev pressed the button symbolizing the commissioning of the “Khojaly”, “Guba”, “Murovdag”, “Savalan” and “Shahdag” platform supply vessels.

Rauf Valiyev: As I have already reported to you, these vessels are used not only for supply, but also in fire safety. “Khojaly” and “Guba” are the largest vessels of this type in the Caspian Sea.

President Ilham Aliyev: Are they different from other vessels?

Rauf Valiyev: Yes, these vessels are larger in volume. All five vessels have arrived, they are stipulated in the contract.

President Ilham Aliyev: Great. Is the crew also formed?

Rauf Valiyev: Yes, the crew is composed of Azerbaijanis by 100 percent. The main thing is that usually for the implementation of oil and gas projects long-term contracts were signed with foreign operators. These vessels were sometimes ordered one year ahead, but six months later we had to sign another contract. So foreign companies were paid money for the remaining six months. We agreed with the State Oil Company, BP and Total that they would provide their forecast. Based on the forecasts, we try to leave the vessels that will be required for further projects here. They pay only for the necessary period.

President Ilham Aliyev: Great! Of course, this is more logical.

Rauf Valiyev: Yes, thank you very much!

Share news on social media

Follow us on social network

VIDEO

President Ilham Aliyev attended ceremony to launch first tanker built at Baku Shipyard and commissioning of “Azerbaijan” ferry boat VIDEO

Cabinet of Ministers convenes to address implementation of order on electric vehicle promotion

Azerbaijan names 18 boxers for European Championships in Belgrade

Potential priorities and plans of Azerbaijan`s CICA chairmanship in 2024-2026 discussed

® Kapital Bank OJSC's bonds placed at Baku Stock Exchange

AZAL and DFS Aviation Services agree to modernize Lachin Airport

Action plan related to designation of city of Shusha as 'Youth Capital of Organization of Islamic Cooperation' to be prepared - ORDER

International Renewable Energy Agency’s 14th Assembly continues with panel sessions

New Caledonian delegation visits NAM Youth Organization’s headquarters VIDEO

Over 90 pct of Sudanese school-age children deprived of formal education due to conflict: UNICEF

Chair of New Caledonian Congress Committee visits St. Mary's Catholic Church in Baku VIDEO

Submissions open for 2nd Silk Road Global News Awards

‘New Caledonian people highly appreciate Azerbaijan’s support’

Former No. 1 pick Blake Griffin retires after 14 seasons

‘Revenues from Azerbaijan’s transport sector increased by 15 per cent’

Around 40 new epidemics recorded each year in West African sub-region

Azerbaijani pool player claims European championship title

UK lawmakers vote to approve plans to ban smoking for those born after 2009

UAE ready to support Azerbaijan during its presidency of COP29

Hikmet Hajiyev: The withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers from Azerbaijani territory ahead of schedule has been decided by the leaders of both countries

Donald Trump falls $75mn behind Joe Biden in money race as donor base shrinks

71 killed, 67 injured in rain-related accidents in Pakistan

Azerbaijani ambassador presents his credentials to President of Portugal

Energy Minister: Azerbaijan will play an important role in regional integration in field of renewable energy

Most massive stellar black hole in the Milky Way discovered 'extremely close' to Earth

UNEC included in same group as world universities in international ranking

® “Her Action in Art” festival: celebrating women's contributions in art

Azerbaijan, International Renewable Energy Agency discuss prospects for cooperation

President Ilham Aliyev received Secretary General of Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia VIDEO

14th Assembly of International Renewable Energy Agency gets underway in Abu Dhabi

From Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, President of the Republic of the Philippines

Honda to launch next-generation EVs in China by 2027

Researchers in Australia identify 3 new species of extinct kangaroos

Foreign Ministry: France’s accusation against Azerbaijan of unilateral actions are completely unfounded

Azerbaijan, EU discuss current state and prospects for developing relations

Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry: Quadrocopter attempting to carry out reconnaissance flights in direction of Tovuz district neutralized VIDEO

Antibiotics aren't effective for most lower tract respiratory infections

Japan probes Google antitrust allegation concerning ad services

Azerbaijani oil price exceeds 93 dollars

Global oil prices drop

People's Artist of Azerbaijan Chingiz Sadykhov’s 95th anniversary marked in Northern California

Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain both reach Champions League semifinals with comebacks

Trump trial gets underway in New York with jury selection in historic case

Release of the Press Service of the President

Tree-planting campaign held in Baku

Renovated courtyards handed over to residents with participation of Leyla Aliyeva

Baku presents official poster of ISSF World Cup

World Bank welcomes “ASAN service" concept

Azerbaijan name 7 gymnasts to compete in FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup - AG Trophy in Baku

US NSA Jake Sullivan postpones India visit amid Middle East crisis

Coral reefs hit by fourth global bleaching event

Azerbaijan, ACWA Power discuss cooperation on onshore and offshore wind energy projects

Azerbaijan exports crude oil and oil products worth about $3.5 billion in Q1 2024

Abu Dhabi playing host to 14th Assembly of International Renewable Energy Agency

Memorandum of Understanding on establishing Türkiye-Azerbaijan University approved - ORDER

bp begins oil production from major new platform offshore Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan exports 67.600 tons of petroleum coke in Q1 2024

Mexico City records record-high temperature of 34.2C

Copenhagen fire: Spire collapses as historic stock exchange engulfed by flames

World's fastest camera captures footage at 156 trillion frames per second

Tesla lays off ‘more than 10 percent’ of its workforce, loses top executives

® First quarter 2024 financial results revealed by Kapital Bank

President Ilham Aliyev laid foundation stone for Shirvan irrigation canal in Hajigabul district
The head of state addressed the event VIDEO

Azerbaijan will also become a reliable green hydrogen supplier for EU, says Energy Minister

UEFA Champions League quarterfinal 2nd leg to kick off with 2 matches

Azerbaijani gymnasts to flight for glory at Czech Aerobic Open 2024

Türkiye’s 1st indigenous Earth observation satellite completes 1st year in space

Azerbaijan, Türkiye exchange mutual experience in military information field

Military ammunition found in Azerbaijan’s Jabrayil district

President Ilham Aliyev: We are doing everything in a planned manner in order to obtain maximum efficiency from every inch of land VIDEO

President: We now have full possession of our water resources

President Ilham Aliyev: Caspian Sea water desalination project is underway

President of Azerbaijan: We are implementing large-scale work in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur that is unmatched on a global scale VIDEO

President: Many infrastructure projects have been solved in Azerbaijan

Major infrastructure projects facing the government in the coming years disclosed

President: Efficient utilization of water resources is our primary task

Azerbaijani President: The Shirvan canal will be our largest project in terms of water volume and coverage of farmland

President: After the Shirvan irrigation canal has been put into operation, Lake Hajigabul will also be filled

President Ilham Aliyev: Among infrastructure projects implemented in Azerbaijan in recent years, Shirvan irrigation canal holds special importance

Australia: 15-year-old arrested over Sydney church stabbing

South Caucasus is a region of growing importance, says Kazakh expert

Baku hosting Azerbaijan Insurtech Summit for first time

Combined Arms Army conducts technical inspection of auto vehicles

UN’s Indigenous Issues Permanent Forum opens session focused on youth voices

Baku Book Center hosts presentation of methodological manual “Azerbaijani language proficiency level requirements”

Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication transferred all information systems to "Government Cloud"

Azerbaijan, Serbia explore current state and prospects of strategic partnership

China's GDP expands 5.3 pct year on year in Q1

Oil prices go up in global markets

Azerbaijani oil price declines in global markets

Azerbaijani FM meets with President of Uzbekistan

Geneva hosts International Day of Nowruz

Canton Fair opens in China with surge in overseas purchasers

Turkish foreign minister, UN chief discuss recent regional developments

ANAMA highlights Azerbaijan's mine action efforts in liberated territories

Nadal confirms comeback at Barcelona Open, to face Cobolli

Seventeen in hospital after football fans’ minibus crashes in West Yorkshire

® Baku Steel Company CJSC represents Azerbaijan in Dusseldorf

® Kapital Bank introduces exciting “50 gün 50 hədiyyə” (“50 days 50 gifts”) lottery

Bulgaria to host European, Balkan Cups in whitewater rafting in April

Academician Zarifa Aliyeva commemorated in Ukraine