The Türkmendenizderýaýollary (Turkmen Sea and River Routes) shipbuilding and ship-repair yard, opened in 2018, is an important link in the economy of Turkmenistan, according to a December 7 note in Turkmenistan: Golden Age.

The publication reminds that the annual capacity of the plant is designed to melt 10 thousand tons of steel, build 4-6 and repair 20-30 medium and small-sized vessels.

The deputy general director of the Balkan shipbuilding and repair plant, Rejepmammad Toigeldyev , did not disclose details about the volume of ship repair work in his comments to the publication, but said that "the plant has accumulated a lot of experience" in the manufacture of structures for bridges and poles for street lighting.

In addition, the plant carries out repairs, welding and painting of containers, and at the request of customers, iron fences and gates are manufactured.

“The services provided by the company meet high international standards,” said Toygeldyev.

HT's commentary . It is not uncommon for a shipyard to release by-products unrelated to shipbuilding. However, the fact that the "Balkan", together with the port in Turkmenbashi, which cost the budget $ 1.5 billion, is engaged in third-party orders and has not produced a single vessel for three years raises questions about the expediency of its construction.

In October 2021, the director of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers, Mammetkhan Chakyev, announced that the first dry cargo ship with a carrying capacity of 5300-8100 tons would be built at the plant. Since then, however, the progress of the construction of the vessel has not been reported. Toygeldiev did not mention him either.

Source: Chronicles of Turkmenistan