For the first time! An Azerbaijani tanker enters Australian waters

For the first time in Azerbaijan’s history, a tanker flying the country’s flag has entered Australian waters. The historic voyage was made by the “Aframax” type tanker “Khankendi”.

TodayPress TV reports that the tanker departed from Brunei’s Seria port on october 19 and arrived at Australia’s Port of Geelong after an uninterrupted 18-day voyage. The cargo on board was safely unloaded at the port.

At the Australian port, where maritime safety and environmental requirements are strictly enforced, the tanker successfully passed all necessary inspections. These included an environmental inspection and an annual technical survey conducted by the ABS classification society.

In addition, the tanker underwent a crew change, replenished its fuel supplies, and received annual maintenance for its safety and radio communication systems, as well as the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).

It should be noted that the “Khankendi” tanker was acquired in 2024 by the joint venture SA Maritime AFEZCO, established on the basis of an equal partnership between ASCO, part of AZCON Holding, and SOCAR. In August of the same year, the Azerbaijani tricolour was raised aboard the vessel at Türkiye’s Aliaga port, and it was put into operation.

The tanker has a deadweight tonnage of 115,521 tonnes, a length of 249.95 metres, a beam of 44 metres, a moulded depth of 21.2 metres, and a draft of 15.22 metres. The vessel’s maximum speed is 16 knots.

Kubra Musayeva