Cargo transhipment at the Turkmenbashi International Seaport rose by 10% year-on-year in January–March 2026. This growth was driven by increased supplies of Turkmen oil to local refineries and sulphur exports, some of which were diverted from the Iranian route, according to the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’.

Transit through Turkmen ports increased by 23% in the first quarter. The main drivers were the growth in urea exports from Garabogaz and the transhipment of liquid cargo via Ekerem.

The increase in sulphur transit is linked to its re-routing in March via Azerbaijan to the Georgian ports of Poti and Batumi, against a backdrop of a 35% rise in Black Sea prices.

The port of Turkmenbashi remains the largest on the Caspian Sea and boasts a well-developed infrastructure, including passenger, container and cargo terminals.