ASCO's cargo volume rose by 43% in the first eight months of 2026, reaching over 1.25 million tons compared to last year.
The amount of cargo transported by Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO) with its bulk carriers increased by 43% in the first eight months of 2026 compared to the same period last year. The company, which is part of AZCON Holding, transported 1 million 252 thousand 97 tons of bulk cargo during the January-August period.
In the same period, the total for 2025 was reported as 875 thousand 950 tons. Thus, the absolute increase over the eight months exceeded 376 thousand tons. In August alone, the bulk cargo transported reached 168 thousand 967 tons; this represents an increase of 73 thousand 383 tons, or 77%, compared to the level of 95 thousand 584 tons in August 2025.
ASCO's announcement does not include details on the types of cargo, distribution by route, or fleet utilization rates. Therefore, it is not possible to definitively separate how much of the increase is due to intra-Caspian transport and how much comes from the company's Handysize operations outside the Caspian with the current data.
Recently, the company has also been using bulk carriers such as Murovdağ and Xocalı on transoceanic voyages. It was announced that Murovdağ transported zinc from Chile to Belgium, while Xocalı was sailing with a timber cargo on the New Zealand-China route. These voyages demonstrate ASCO's efforts to expand its commercial model beyond the Caspian basin.
While the 43% growth is strong, a comprehensive performance assessment requires additional metrics such as ton-miles, freight revenue, empty sailing rates, and operating days on a per-vessel basis. An increase in tonnage alone does not prove the profitability of the transport.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
