KazMunayGas Plans Fleet Expansion Amid Caspian Shallowing Concerns

KazMunayGas intends to expand oil transportation through the Caspian Sea and increase its tanker fleet, despite ongoing concerns about falling water levels, Orda.kz reports.

At a meeting of the public council under Samruk-Kazyna, Deputy Chair of the KMG Board Aset Magauov said the company aims to boost seaborne oil transit to 1.7 million tons as part of efforts to diversify supply routes.

It is planned to expand the fleet within the framework of a joint pool of tankers formed by Kazmortransflot and ADP (Abu Dhabi Ports Group) to provide services for the transportation of oil in the open seas. In 2025, we plan to begin implementing a project for the acquisition by KMTF of two Aframax oil tankers with a deadweight of 115 thousand tons. ADP plans to supply two more similar tankers,
 said Magauov.

The joint KMTF-ADP fleet currently has four tankers. By early 2026, that number is expected to double, and container ships are also planned.

KazMunayGas is also awaiting a final decision from ADP on building two container ships for lease to KMTF. These vessels are expected to be used on the Trans-Caspian route starting in 2027.

Meanwhile, in the Aqtau port area, water levels have dropped by 1.7 meters. Dry cargo ships are being underloaded by 600–1,300 tons, and oil tankers by 2,000–2,500 tons, according to carriers.

Original Author: Anastasia Prilepskaya