Heads of shipping companies of the Black Sea basin countries have gathered in Azerbaijan`s capital, Baku, for the 12th meeting of the Black Sea International Shipowners` Association, BINSA.

Prior to the start of the event its participants paid respect to Azerbaijan`s nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev and his wife academician Zarifa Aliyeva at the Alley of Honors.

The meeting was opened by Aydin Bashirov, Head of the Azerbaijan State Caspian Shipping Company, who said BINSA greatly contributed to strengthening sea transport cooperation between the Black Sea basin countries.

The meeting also heard a report by Secretary General of BINSA Council Sergey Melashenko.

During the meeting, Aydin Bashirov was elected BINSA`s President.

The Ukrainian Yuzhny Port company was admitted to BINSA.

The next gathering of the association will take place in Odessa in October 2009.

######