An Indian shipbuilder, Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), has clinched a significant contract to construct 24 cargo ships for Russian clients that will be utilized in the Caspian region.
According to international media, the project will involve the construction of chemical tankers, bulk carriers, and container ships. The deal was inked during the Astrakhan International Forum “North-South ITC: A New Concept” with the government-owned GSL in India. GSL aims to deliver the ships within a three-year timeframe, with the first four vessels set to start construction in Q1 2024.
Generally, in recent times, Russia has been actively seeking alternative routes to avoid being dependent on the Black Sea and to avoid the consequences of sanctions. Since then, the Caspian Sea and other choices such as the Northern Sea Route (NSR) seem to be rising in popularity for Russian shipping.
The Caspian Sea is a landlocked body of water bordered by several countries, including Russia. Russia, as one of the Caspian Sea’s littoral states, plays a prominent role in Caspian Sea shipping.
