AD Ports Group is expanding its presence in the Caspian Sea region with the addition of two new containerships. The deal, signed by Noatum, AD Ports’ maritime and shipping arm, and Kazmortransflot (a subsidiary of Kazakhstan’s national oil company, KazMunayGas), involves the construction of 500+ teu boxships designed specifically for operations in the Caspian Sea.
These new vessels will offer improved turnaround times and increased capacity, filling a gap in the region where existing ships are relatively smaller. Equipped with advanced cargo handling systems, the vessels will support better scheduling and operational efficiency for enhanced logistics.
AD Ports and KazMunayGas launched a joint venture, Caspian Integrated Maritime Solutions (CIMS), in 2022. The venture has already added tankers to its fleet and plans to further expand its operations. In 2023, the partnership grew with a deal to establish a shipbuilding and repair facility in Kazakhstan.
Looking ahead, the duo is working to develop a next-generation trans-Caspian Sea intermodal system, featuring high-capacity ferries and terminal infrastructure that aims to reduce transit times for Kazakh exporters and other stakeholders in the Middle Corridor.
“We remain deeply committed towards our vision of facilitating international trade by enhancing and expanding our collaboration with our valued partners in Kazakhstan,” said Ammar Al Shaiba, CEO of AD Ports' Maritime & Shipping Cluster.