Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company

Ship Owners

The Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ACSC), also known as Azerbaijan Caspian Sea Shipping Closed Joint Stock Company, is a state-run maritime transport company based in Baku, Azerbaijan. The company is integral to Azerbaijan's transport sector and plays a crucial role in the country's economy, leveraging its strategic position around the Caspian Sea.

Historical Background:

ACSC has a long and storied history dating back over a century. It was initially established in the late 19th century during the Russian Empire era to support the burgeoning oil industry in the Caspian region. Over the years, it has evolved and expanded its operations, especially during the Soviet period, becoming one of the largest shipping and logistics companies in the region.

Operations:

ACSC operates in multiple sectors within the maritime industry, including cargo transportation, passenger transportation, and offshore support services. The company's operations are primarily focused on the Caspian Sea, but it also plays a critical role in international shipping, connecting the Caspian region with other parts of the world.

Fleet:

The company boasts a diverse fleet, which includes tankers, dry cargo ships, Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) vessels, and passenger ferries. This diversity enables ACSC to provide a wide range of services, from transporting oil and gas to handling general cargo and providing passenger ferry services.

Trade Routes:

ACSC serves crucial trade routes that connect Azerbaijan with its neighboring countries around the Caspian Sea, including Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Iran. The company also operates routes that serve as a linkage between Europe and Asia, making it a vital player in the region's logistics and transport infrastructure.

Strategic Importance:

Given Azerbaijan’s rich oil and gas reserves, ACSC plays a pivotal role in transporting energy resources to global markets. The company also aligns with Azerbaijan’s broader economic goals by fostering trade and facilitating regional cooperation.

Sustainability and Modernization:

In recent years, ACSC has focused on modernizing its fleet and adopting more environmentally friendly practices. The company is investing in new vessels that comply with international environmental standards, which reflects Azerbaijan's commitment to sustainable development.

Partnerships and Collaborations:

ACSC collaborates with various international maritime organizations and companies to enhance its services and operational efficiency. This includes partnerships aimed at improving maritime safety, adopting new technologies, and expanding its service offerings.

Challenges:

Like many maritime companies, ACSC faces challenges such as fluctuating global oil prices, geopolitical tensions in the Caspian region, and the need for continuous investment in fleet modernization and infrastructure development.

Future Outlook:

The future outlook for ACSC is promising, with potential for growth driven by increasing trade and economic activities in the Caspian region. Ongoing investments in infrastructure, technology, and strategic partnerships are expected to bolster the company's position as a leading maritime transport provider.

In summary, the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company is a cornerstone of Azerbaijan’s maritime and transport sector, with a rich history and a critical role in regional and international logistics. Through modernization efforts and strategic initiatives, the company continues to adapt to the evolving demands of the global maritime industry.

Ships

BARRA

Supply Vessel/Standby Ship | Flag: Azerbaijan | Port: BAKU

Maritime News

Inadequate Design, Certification and Maintenance Led to Titan Disaster

20 hours ago

The catastrophic implosion of the Titan submersible that killed five people in 2023 could have been prevented, a U.S. Coast Guard investigative board found on Tuesday, calling the vessel’s safety culture and operational practices “critically flawed.”The Titan vanished during a descent to the Titanic wreck on a tourist expedition, losing contact with its support ship.After a tense four-day search, its shattered remains were discovered strewn across the seabed 1,600 feet (488 meters) from the bow of the legendary ocean liner that sank in 1912, claiming more than 1,500 lives.OceanGate, the U.S.-based company that managed the tourist submersible, suspended all operations after the incident.

Australia Chooses Japanese Frigate Design

2 days ago

The Australian Government is accelerating the delivery of a larger and more lethal surface combatant fleet with the selection of the upgraded Japanese Mogami-class frigate as the preferred platform for the Royal Australian Navy’s future fleet of general purpose frigates.Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Mogami-class frigate was assessed as best able to quickly meet the capability requirements and strategic needs of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).The upgraded Mogami-class frigate boasts a range of up to 10,000 nautical miles, a 32 Cell Vertical Launch System, and is fitted with surface-to-air missiles and anti-ship missiles.

Ports Urge Congress to Reverse Infrastructure Funding Cuts

2 days ago

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) and a broad coalition of every donor and energy transfer port have sent the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and the Energy and Water Development Subcommittees leaders a letter, urging them to reverse a funding diversion and restore critical support for ports through the FY2026 appropriations process.Without restoration of Section 102 and 2106 funding from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF), the U.S. port system will lose over $1 billion in direct investment during the remainder of the Trump administration – undermining national security, supply chain resilience, and energy exports, says AAPA.

Court Fines Fishing Companies Over $1 Million for Bilge Discharges

2 days ago

The federal district court in Anchorage, Alaska, has entered final judgment against three Kodiak-based commercial fishing companies and their manager for multiple violations of the Clean Water Act.The court entered default judgments against company manager Corey Potter and F/V Knot EZ LLC, Aleutian Tendering LLC, and Alaska Tendering Company LLC, and imposed a civil penalty of $1,182,265 for the violations. The case was filed on October 24, 2024, by the Department of Justice on behalf of the Coast Guard against Corey Potter and three of his related companies.

US Container Port Volumes Grow 1.7% YoY While Exports Dwindle

3 hours ago

“During the first half of 2025, volumes at the nine largest US container ports grew by 1.7% year-over-year to 16.9 million TEU. Import volumes grew 4.3%, influenced by preloading in anticipation of tariff increases, while export volumes declined by 4.2%,” said Niels Rasmussen, Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO.The Budget Lab at Yale reported that the effective US tariff rate was 2.4% in January 2025 before subsequent tariff increases raised it to 3.7% in February, 8.9% in March, and 26.0% in April following the “Liberation Day” announcement. Later, reductions and implementation delays brought the effective import tariff rate down to 21.1% in May and 15.7% in June.