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On March 2, 2026 the start of construction of two largest at Caspian Sea DCCV64 780 TEU diesel-electric shallow-draught multipurpose container vessels for AD Ports Group was marked with the solemn steel-cutting ceremony held on Baku Shipyard.

On September 17, 2025 AD Ports Group announced awarding a contract to Baku Shipyard in Azerbaijan for the construction of two 780 TEU container vessels that will serve trade routes across the Caspian Sea.

AD Ports Group has developed over the years into an integrated premier enabler of trade, industrialisation, and economic diversification. Established by Emiri Decree and owned by ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies with a broad portfolio of major enterprises spanning key sectors of Abu Dhabi’s diversified economy. AD Ports Group is committed to building elite trade and logistics propositions, connecting global maritime routes and international trading partners.

The building contract was signed with Azerbaijan Transport and Communication Holding (AZCON), acting on behalf of Baku Shipyard.

"Azerbaijan Transport and Communications Holding (AZCON)" public legal entity was established pursuant to the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, dated November 7, 2024. AZCON's main goals are to manage state-owned enterprises, economic entities with partial state ownership and public legal entities entrusted to its management in accordance with modern corporate governance principles, and to increase their competitiveness and financial sustainability.

Designer of DCCV64 project is Marine Engineering Bureau.

For 31 years on shipping and shipbuilding market Marine Engineering Bureau has become a symbol of professionalism, reliability and progress with built and successfully operated 480 vessels according to their projects. Each realized project is a contribution to development of the industry, strengthening the safety of navigation and increasing the efficiency of maritime transport.

Concept of DCCV64 780 TEU shallow-draught multipurpose container vessel was created in close collaboration with colleagues from AD Ports Group, CIMS and KMTF to support the growing demand for containerised cargo capacity in the region and to ensure more efficient, reliable, and sustainable transport solutions.

DCCV64 vessels are intended for carrying of the general and bulk cargoes (including grain), 20’, 40’ and 45’ containers in holds and on hatch covers (include refrigerating), packaged lumber, timber, large-dimension and heavy-weight cargoes, coal, hazardous cargoes of classes 1, 1.4S, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.1, 7, 8, 9 in accordance with IMDG Code and category "B" cargoes from IMSBC Code.

The new DCCV64 project is designed in specially created and optimised "super full" vessel hull contours with two dry cargo holds, has maximum possible dimensions and characteristics for existing infrastructure and depth limits on planned lines within Caspian Sea - expected operation draught is 4.50 m.

The maximum length is 149.5 m, the overall breadth is 21.00 m, depth is 8.60 m and designed draught is 4.50 m.

DCCV64 vessel’s container capacity and deadweight are the largest for dry-cargo vessels intended for transportations within Caspian Sea region with 4.50 m draught – 780 TEU and 9400 t. For example, other modern river-sea vessels with "super full" hull contours, designed not only for Caspian lines, at 4.50 m draught have maximum 7670 t deadweight (difference is 1730 t) and 530 TEU onboard (difference is 250 TEU).

The capacity of cargo holds is 16720 cubic m.

The project is designed for BV class notation I HULL MACH General cargo ship, equipped for carriage of containers, occasional dry bulk cargo Sheltered Area-temporary unrestricted navigation AUT-UMS, SYS-NEQ-1, YOUNG ICE 1, BWT, HABITABILITY and meets all the requirements of international conventions acted at the moment of the vessel's keel laying. To achieve optimised lightweight and to increase vessel's deadweight direct strength analysis and calculations have been performed.

The operating speed is 11.0 knots at 85% MCR.

Diesel-electric power plant allows significantly to reduce emissions, confirming high level of environmental friendliness for the Caspian region.

DCCV64 780 TEU shallow-draught multipurpose container vessels expected to be delivered in the end of 2027, will be deployed on key routes to enhance maritime connectivity between key trading hubs, boost trade volumes and strengthen trans-Caspian logistic corridor.