AD Ports Group has signed a contract with Baku Shipyard in Azerbaijan to build two 780-TEU shallow-draft container vessels for trade across the Caspian Sea.

The vessels are due for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2027 and will operate on key routes to boost maritime connectivity, increase cargo capacity and strengthen the trans-Caspian logistics corridor.

“This step aligns with the vision and directives of our wise leadership in the UAE and reaffirms AD Ports Group’s commitment to supporting the growing trade needs of the Caspian region,” said Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group.

“Partnering with Baku Shipyard ensures these vessels will meet the highest international standards, enabling us to deliver greater capacity, improved service reliability and contribute to the long-term growth of supply chains.”

The agreement was formalised at a ceremony attended by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The move comes after AD Ports Group’s recent expansion in Central Asia, including the launch of the first phase of the Tbilisi Intermodal Hub in June 2025 and the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and Azerbaijan in July.

The UAE is among Azerbaijan’s largest foreign investors, with more than US$1 billion in direct investments. Bilateral non-oil trade rose by 43 per cent in 2024 to US$2.24 billion, underlining the growing momentum of economic ties.

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