At least 5 billion rubles will be allocated for the modernization of the Makhachkala Sea Trading Port — the only non-freezing deep-water port of Russia in the Caspian Sea. The funds are planned to be used from 2026 to 2028 inclusive, the Government of the Republic of Dagestan reported.
The Makhachkala port, which is currently only 30–40% loaded, aims to increase cargo transshipment volumes. The main emphasis will be on the export of grain (a strategic direction), as well as on expanding the range: negotiations are underway on the export of fertilizers, timber to Iraq and India, and increasing parallel imports.
In 2025, the port's investment expenses already amounted to more than 600 million rubles. As part of the development strategy, the construction of a new grain terminal with a capacity of 1.5 million tons per year with a one-time storage of up to 100 thousand tons has begun. The entire complex of equipment for it was purchased in China. It is expected that the grain terminal will become the largest in the Caspian Sea.