The seaport was founded in October 1896 on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea. In order to consolidate and streamline the transportation of goods and passengers, the Commercial Seaport Administration was formed on January 1, 1903. Taking into account the increase in cargo traffic over the years, the construction of a ferry crossing in 1959 was started on the territory of the port. In 2000-2003, a large–scale reconstruction of the port was carried out. The old berths for ships were reconstructed and new ones were built, as well as warehouses and a number of other facilities with the acquisition of modern equipment. This made it possible to provide port services at a higher level.

     Taking into account the convenient geo-economic location of Turkmenistan, according to the “Strategy for the development of the Turkmenbashi International Seaport and the Turkmen Merchant Marine fleet until 2020”, on the basis of the Decree of the President of Turkmenistan signed on May 29, 2014, the construction of the Turkmenbashi International Seaport, envisaged as one of the main sections of the Great Silk Road, was launched, and on May 2, 2018 with the participation of the President of Turkmenistan, the new Turkmenbashi International Seaport was inaugurated.