Azerbaijan Advances Plan for Caspian-Black Sea Tunnel Project
Azerbaijan Proposes Underground Water Tunnel Linking Caspian and Black Seas
On May 4th, news emerged from Azerbaijan about an ambitious project aimed at connecting the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea through an underground water tunnel. This initiative is seen as a strategic move to address the alarming decline in water levels affecting Caspian Sea ports, according to Inbusiness.
The project, spearheaded by ADOG and Zira Port, emphasizes enhancing Turkic cooperation while tackling the environmental challenges facing the Caspian Sea. The proposed tunnel would feature a channel approximately 10 meters wide and include international environmental monitoring to ensure ecological sustainability.
Although an official proposal has yet to be submitted to Kazakhstan, the country plays a pivotal role in this venture. Ongoing issues with decreasing water levels are already disrupting operations at Kazakhstan’s Aktau port. According to Kazinform, port officials indicate that the drop in water levels has reduced cargo capacity to just 1,000 tonnes per vessel, with fears that navigation could face complete cessation if this trend persists.
In response to these challenges, Kazakhstan has announced plans to dredge the seabed at Aktau this year, partially funded by NC “Kazakhstan Temir Zholy.” The sand retrieved from the dredging process is intended to help expand the nation’s coastal territory by an impressive 171 hectares. In addition, plans are in the works to establish Kazakhstan’s first cruise terminal, complete with border control, on the Caspian Sea.
The urgency of this project is underscored by the fact that since 2006, the water level in the Caspian Sea has fallen by two meters. This ongoing decline poses significant risks not only to regional trade but also to vital infrastructure.
As discussions around this groundbreaking tunnel project evolve, it stands as a potential lifeline for enhancing maritime connectivity in the region while addressing pressing environmental concerns.
Photo: visibleearth.nasa.gov
