The Caspian Sea has found itself increasingly under pressure. From one side, Ukrainian strikes hammer Russian and Iranian ships navigating the inland waters. From the other, Israel bombards the Iranian navy. All the while, sea levels are dropping precipitously, threatening maritime activity and fragile ecosystems alike. Nevertheless, Caspian littoral states are investing heavily in new ships and shipbuilding capabilities to exploit maritime trade routes that are critical to Eurasian connectivity.  

This live map allows viewers to learn about operational and planned shipyards on the Caspian Sea. Russia is the historic production center for new vessels, but Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan have made significant progress in developing domestic shipbuilding industries in the past 15 years. Kazakhstan’s interest in growing its own shipbuilding industry has spiked with expansion of its inland Uralsk shipyard and two more under development in Mangystau and Kuryk to support Astana’s role as a central player along the Middle Corridor. Iran’s industry remains relatively opaque, although unverified claims report it has built 12 vessels since 2023, suggesting a level of productivity rivaling that of Russia. 

Six of the 10 shipyards included on this map are located outside of the shallow northern section of the Caspian Sea. Notably, Kazakhstan has concentrated its ongoing shipyard projects close to its southern border, reflecting how desiccation has restricted maritime navigability farther north. Declining sea levels could eventually threaten Kazakhstani and Russian shipyards located on the Ural and Volga rivers, which spill into the shallow northern section of the Caspian Sea. Long term, this could also raise questions regarding the reliability of the Volga-Don Canal, which allows Caspian littoral states to access the Black Sea through Russia. This inland route has also played a significant role in fleet expansion by allowing nations to purchase vessels built outside the Caspian region. 

Despite these challenges, dredging has allowed trade to continue in shallower parts of the sea, and Caspian littoral states’ serious interest in shipbuilding speaks to the route’s enduring strategic value for the region.