A New Ro-Pax Ferry to Be Built for Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company
February 13, 2025

On December 22, Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO) and Baku Shipbuilding Plant (BSP) signed an agreement to build a new Ro-Pax ferry designed for the transportation of passengers, cars, and railway wagons. This was announced in a statement by ASCO.

The agreement was signed by ASCO Chairman of the Board Rauf Veliev and BSP Chairman of the Board Elshad Nuriyev.

The new vessel will be built based on the design of the ferries "Azerbaijan" and "Zarifa Aliyeva," which are already in service with ASCO. The ferry will be able to carry up to 100 passengers, 56 tank cars, or 46 flatcars, and 50 trucks with trailers.

The ferry will have a length of 154.5 meters, a width of 17.7 meters, and a freeboard height of 7.5 meters. With a deadweight of 5740 tons, it will have a cruising speed of up to 14 knots. The ferry will be operated by a permanent crew of 30 personnel.

The new ferry is expected to enhance ASCO's cargo transportation capacity, meeting the growing volumes of rail and TIR transport across the Caspian Sea.

Since 2014, ASCO has placed orders for 10 vessels at BSP, 9 of which have already been completed and delivered to service, including one tugboat, 3 passenger vessels, 2 Ro-Pax ferries, and 3 tankers.

Photo: Asco