The Ports of Azerbaijan: An Overview for Shippers and Ship Operators
From Alat to Baku Bay, Sangachal, Hovsan and Shikh — a quick guide to the port areas on Azerbaijan’s Caspian coast where cargo and vessels are handled.
The Caspian Sea is the world’s largest enclosed body of water, and Azerbaijan’s coastline on its western shore is a natural gateway between Central Asia, the Caucasus and Europe. Several port areas along the Absheron peninsula and south of Baku handle cargo, supply vessels and passengers.
Port of Baku at Alat
The Baku International Sea Trade Port is located at Alat, south of the capital. It handles general cargo, containers, Ro-Ro and ferry traffic and is a key node on the Trans-Caspian route, with rail and road connections inland.
Ports of Baku Bay and South Bay
The bays around the city host shipyards, terminals and service quays used by supply vessels and the offshore sector.
Sangachal, Hovsan and Shikh
These coastal areas south and east of Baku are linked to the energy and offshore industries and to specialised terminals, with regular vessel movements that require supply and services.
Absheron
The Absheron peninsula, with Baku at its heart, concentrates most of the country’s maritime activity, shipyards and service companies.
What this means for shippers
- Choose the port by cargo type: containers, Ro-Ro, bulk or project cargo.
- Plan the inland leg — road or rail — together with the sea leg.
- Work with a local partner who knows terminal procedures and customs.
Viking Group serves vessels and cargo at the Port of Absheron, Sangachal, Alat, Hovsan, Shikh, the ports of Baku Bay and South Bay, Heydar Aliyev International Airport and the land borders at Samur and Gazakh. See them on the map on our Contact page.