i can understand ed's reasons for not allowing ship production on the caspian. ive modded the game to allow it though. partially i was annoyed about the pirates, and partially because my empire encompasses the caspian and i would like to be able to transport units accross it. though it was not a technique used in this time period i dont think it is beyond the realms of possibility that an inspired ruler would build a transport fleelt there. 1000yrs later the vikings did go raiding in iran and armenia via the caspian.