Representatives of the Turkmenbashi International Seaport, the Agency for Sea and River Transport and other relevant ministries and departments discussed international standards in the field of port management and maritime logistics. An online seminar on this topic was organized by the OSCE Office in Ashgabat on 30-31 August.
Acting Head of the OSCE Center in Ashgabat William Leaf noted that "The international seaport in Turkmenbashi is an important link in the maritime transport system of Central Asia and, performing the functions of a major transit hub in the Eurasian region, is of great geopolitical importance."
The training was conducted by three "high rank" naval officers from Russia. They talked about the structure of port captains' services, port environmental safety management and oil spill response measures.
Earlier, the OSCE represented William Leaf as a political-military adviser to the OSCE Center in Ashgabat. Since July of this year, in the news of the organization, he has been indicated as the acting head of the Center.
The location of the head of the OSCE Center in Ashgabat, John McGregor , appointed in June this year , is not specified. Since his appointment, the OSCE has quoted him only twice in the news - during his speech at trainings on June 8-11 and July 8-9. His last post on Twitter was dated June 17th.
Source: Chronicles of Turkmenistan