Dredging has begun at the port of Aktau to deepen the Caspian seabed to 6–7 metres. The Ministry of Transport said the work is needed to increase cargo volumes along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), infohub.kz reports.
The work was prompted by the continued decline in the sea's water level and the need to improve the efficiency of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.
The project is expected to remove around 1.3 million cubic metres of soil, raising the depth of the water area to 6–7 metres. The dredging will increase the port's throughput capacity and boost cargo volumes along the TITR by up to 30%. Shipping costs are also expected to fall by 10–15%.
The project will help attract investment in the port's development and improve navigation safety. The contractor has already drawn up a work schedule. Working meetings are held regularly to resolve current issues promptly and coordinate the efforts of those involved. The dredging is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.
It was previously reported that Kazakhstan will study the possibility of building an oil pipeline along the bottom of the Caspian Sea.