Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have agreed to resume passenger ferry service across the Caspian Sea, which was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. This was announced by Alim Bayel, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan, as reported by NUR.KZ, citing infohub.kz.
According to the diplomat, the Kazakh side proposed restoring passenger service on the ferry route between the ports of Kuryk and Baku. The service operated until 2020, when it was halted because of COVID-19.
Bayel noted that before the suspension, about 1,500 people used the Caspian passenger ferry annually. He expressed confidence that the number of travelers on this route will grow significantly in the future. The resumption of the ferry line is expected to boost passenger connectivity between the two countries, enhance tourism exchange, and expand the potential of the Middle Corridor.
The ambassador also said that Azerbaijan supported Kazakhstan's proposal. Transport authorities of both countries are now working to restore the service as soon as possible. Currently, there are 37 weekly flights between Baku and Kazakh cities such as Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, Aktau, and Atyrau.