The Caspian covers an area of about 380,000 square kilometers. The Caspian’s water level is approximately 28m below sea level. It has only a small tidal range, but a larger seasonal water level variation in the order of 0.5m. With a maximum depth of 1,025m, the deepest point lies in the South Caspian Depression.

Of great significance is that the Caspian may become one of world’s biggest oil and gas producing regions. At present, 67% of Azerbaijan’s oil and 95% of its gas is produced offshore, and the proportions increase by the day as the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli and Shah Deniz field developments come online.

The Navigation and Mapping Department of the Navy of the Azerbaijan Republic has a significant role in ensuring safe navigation in the Caspian Sea. It provides hydrographic and meteorological support for vessels navigating the Caspian; supplies, maintains and operates navigation equipment; and issues notices to mariners and manuals for navigation, as well as publications and updates of navigation charts.

The main supplier of hydrographic information is the Hydrographic Department, which consists of the offshore topographic and geodetic parties. It is equipped with state-of-the-art devices and systems.

The Department operates its own hydrographic surveys, the results of which are collated for charting in its own digital mapping department. Following investment in digital mapping capability, the Department published Azerbaijan’s first set of offshore navigation maps in Azeri and English in 2004. A major task for the Department is to keep these charts up to date as offshore field development continues. The Department therefore maintains close relations with field operators to ensure quick and accurate updates of charts as new wells are drilled and new platforms and pipelines are installed.

The Department operates nine lighthouses, which serve as excellent guides for vessels approaching the Azerbaijan coast.

There are meteorological stations along the entire Azerbaijan coastline and on offshore islands. These ensure timely delivery of meteorological data and development of off- and onshore weather forecasts. Using statistical information of the Caspian Sea, the Department is involved in developing a Caspian Sea level fluctuation forecast, as well as wind and current maps.

Sadly, past industrial development along the coastline of the Caspian has had a negative effect on the natural environment of the Caspian Sea basin due to widespread pollution. Its present condition is deplorable. Therefore, the Department intend to set up an oceanographic department to deal with the collection of information on the condition and content of the sea water.

The Department of Navigation and Mapping is continuously developing, keeping an eye on new hydrographic science and technology, and trying to occupy a worthy place in the international organisation of hydrographic services.