Azerbaijan is “sounding” the alarm bell regarding the drop in the water level of the Caspian Sea, which is raising problems for the marine ecosystems, coastal communities, and maritime traffic in the world’s largest lake.
According to Reuters, which cites statements by Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Ecology, Rauf Hajiyev, the water level of the Caspian has been decreasing for decades. However, data indicates that the rate of decrease is accelerating. Specifically, the water level has dropped by 0.93 m in the last five years, by 1.5 m in the last ten years, and by 2.5 m in the last thirty years. Based on estimates, the current rate of decrease is around 20-30 cm annually.
Azeri officials link the phenomenon to the construction of dams on the Volga River –which provides 80% of the Caspian’s water– by Russia. Conversely, Russia attributes the problem to climate change.
In any case, the drop in the Caspian’s water level has already affected the region’s ports and oil shipments. According to Mr. Hajiyev, tankers are facing increased difficulties when entering the port of Baku. As a result, fully loading the ships has now become impossible, which increases transportation costs.
Indicatively, the transport of oil and oil products via the Azeri terminal Dubendi on the Caspian decreased from 880,000 tons in the first half of 2024 to 810,000 tons in the first half of 2025. This decline is a consequence of the low water level and makes the execution of dredging works necessary to ensure the stable and uninterrupted operation of the port.
