Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan intends to launch a ferry service on the Caspian Sea. Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov announced this in an interview with the Uzbekiston 24 TV channel following a high-level trilateral meeting in Turkmenistan.

According to him, the growing volume of cargo transported along this route has led to delays lasting 30 to 40 days. Having its own vessels, he noted, would significantly speed up the delivery of Uzbek cargo.

At the Avaza summit, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of shipbuilding. In addition, Uzbekistan plans to purchase vessels both in Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.

“Shipbuilding plants operate in Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan. We have agreed to study and consider the possibility of purchasing vessels at these enterprises. It is necessary to work through all the technical aspects, and the signed document creates conditions for resolving technical and commercial issues freely,” Makhkamov said.