Launch of Azerbaijani first ship scheduled

Azerbaijan, Baku, July 10 / Trend E. Ismayilov / The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) plans to commission a new shipyard in the Garadagh district of Baku on September 20, 2013, SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev told journalists on July 10. "Currently, operations are being conducted to time with the commissioning of the first small vessel to be built at the plant and the opening of a new shipyard," Abdullayev said. According to him, besides the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan, BP, the State Caspian Shipping Company placed the orders for the ship's construction at the plant. There are also orders for military ship construction. "At present work is underway to develop a plan for the shipyard's activity covering 10 years," SOCAR head said. SOCAR's new shipyard will ensure the need for ships not only in Azerbaijan, but also in the entire maritime area of the Caspian Sea. The area of the new plant will be 880,000 square metese, closed production area of 75,000 square metres and the length of berths stands at 1300 metres. The investment volume for the plant's construction amounts to $450 million. The plant's capacity is 25,000 tons of metal constructions per year. It will be capable of producing four tankers annually with a deadweight of 15,000 tons, or two tankers with a deadweight of 70,000 tons. Also, the plant will produce an annual delivery of four maintenance and towing vessels and repair 80-100 various vessels. Up till now, all orders on shipbuilding by Azerbaijan were placed at shipyards in other countries. Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az