Proposal for a Caspian-Black Sea Tunnel by Azerbaijan Seeks to Alleviate Water Scarcity Issues
Here's a fresh take on the topic:
Say goodbye to land routes and hello to an underwater tunnel! Azerbaijan's audacious plan
Astonishing plans have been put forward by Azerbaijan to construct an underwater tunnel connecting the Caspian and Black Seas. If executed, this project could potentially offer Kazakhstan direct access to the world ocean and combat the declining water levels in the Caspian Sea that pose a threat to its ports, as reported by Inbusiness on May 4.
Take a look at the map and visualize this intriguing venture (courtesy: The Astana Times).
Initiated by ADOG and Zira Port, this ambitious project aims to bolster Turkic cooperation and combat the detrimental environmental situation in the Caspian Sea. Although no formal offer has been extended to Kazakhstan, they are considered a crucial participant due to the impact of shallow Caspian waters on operations at Aktau Port, according to Kazinform.
Port officials indicate that decreasing water levels have reduced cargo capacity by up to 1,000 tons per ship, potentially leading to a complete halt in shipping if the current trend continues. As a solution, Kazakhstan intends to deepen Aktau's seabed this year with partial funding from Kazakhstan Temir Zholy. Furthermore, the excavated sand will be used to expand Kazakhstan's coastal lands, providing an additional 171 hectares. The country also intends to open its first cruise terminal, complete with border control on the Caspian.
The water level of the Caspian Sea has dropped by two meters since 2006, posing significant regional trade and infrastructure risks.
What makes this project so groundbreaking?
- Seaborne Journey: The underwater tunnel would facilitate the movement of cargo vessels across the Caspian Sea and onto the Black Sea, allowing access to the Mediterranean via the Turkish Straits without the need for land transshipment[1][2].
- Economic Boost: By reducing dependence on overland transit through neighboring countries, Kazakhstan could establish itself as a pivotal hub in Eurasian trade corridors[1].
- Caspian Port Operations: The tunnel could help alleviate the impact of declining water levels on cargo capacity and prevent a complete halt in shipping[1][2].
- Infrastructure Upgrades: Kazakhstan is already planning to deepen Aktau’s seabed in 2025 and use the dredged sand to expand coastal land, potentially accommodating new port facilities or a cruise terminal[1].
- Technical Aspects: The proposed 10-meter-diameter tunnel would utilize the 1.5-meter difference in elevation between the Black and Caspian Seas, making gravity-driven water flow achievable without pumps[2][3].
While feasibility studies are underway to determine the exact route, this game-changing venture could revolutionize Kazakhstan's role in regional trade and safeguard its maritime infrastructure from environmental threats.
- The proposed underwater tunnel connecting the Caspian and Black Seas, if executed, could offer Kazakhstan direct access to the world ocean, according to Inbusiness's report on May 4.
- The underwater tunnel, facilitated by ADOG and Zira Port, aims to bolster Turkic cooperation and combat the environmental degradation in the Caspian Sea.
- To combat the declining water levels in the Caspian Sea threatening its ports, Kazakhstan intends to invest in dredging the seabed at Aktau Port this year.
- Monitoring global climate-change and environmental-science shifts is crucial when discussing the underwater tunnel project's impact on the Caspian Sea's regional trade and infrastructure.
- The environmental and political ramifications of the underwater tunnel project are subjects of extensive debate in general-news venues, given its potential regional economic impact and implications for Kazakhstan's role in Eurasian trade corridors.
