On 31 August 2023, the President of Turkmenistan, through his tireless efforts to develop the country economically, to expand the range and potential of the transport system, especially to increase the capacity of sea and river transport, as well as to develop the shipbuilding industry, which is a new industry for the country, signed an agreement on 13 September 2023 with the “Shipbuilding and repairing yard “Balkan” for the joint construction of two dry cargo ships with a carrying capacity of 6,100 tones with the participation of the South Korean company “Koryo Shipbuilding Industry Technology Co., Ltd.” as part of the implementation of Decree No.680 “On the construction of dry cargo ships”. The above-mentioned document was adopted in order to improve the infrastructure of the transport system of Turkmenistan.

Thus, the construction of the first ships started in August 2024, and on 11 November 2024 a significant milestone in shipbuilding was reached – the first blocks of the ships under construction were delivered to the construction platform. This stage is a proof of high professionalism of the shipyard specialists and efficiency of the applied technologies.

In this regard, on 6 January 2025, the “Keel Laying” ceremony of the first ship was held at the “Shipbuilding and repairing yard “Balkan” OJSC. The event was attended by the managers of “Shipbuilding and repairing yard “Balkan”, as well as the President Choi Young Uook of the South Korean company “Koryo Shipbuilding Industry Technology Co., Ltd”.

The “Keel laying” ceremony is a solemn event marking the beginning of the construction of a new ship and emphasizing the modern achievements of shipbuilding. This event marks the birth of a new ship and is a very important stage of shipbuilding, as well as a bright sign of the achievements of the shipbuilding industry of the country.