Any more ships in the waterway could create an environmental disaster. Turkey is pushing for Azerbaijan to follow this latter route, called the Baku-Jeyhan route. As a newly independent nation, Azerbaijan must not allow its economy to become dependent on any one nation. In this context, the path that Azerbaijan chooses for exporting its oil is crucial. In order for the Caspian to be considered on its own as one of the world's main oil regions, it must not rely too heavily on Russia or Iran.
Diversification is key.
For many of the proposed pipeline routes, Azerbaijan would have to depend on either Russia or Iran, potential competitors who have their own oil to sell. Using the Novorossiysk route, for example, would increase Russia's influence in the region. Directing the oil through Iran would be frowned upon by nations such as the U.S., which still views Iran as a terrorist state. A Baku-Jeyhan route would mean that Azerbaijan would not have to rely on either of these two countries. Turkey is an independent outlet, and Azerbaijan's ally.