Deputy Economy Minister: Anaklia Port critical for Georgia and Middle Corridor

According to a World Bank study, the volume of cargo transported along the Middle Corridor needs to triple, and Georgia has an important contribution to make in this regard, Deputy Economy and Sustainable Development Minister Tamar Ioseliani said on the “Business Partner” program.

“According to a World Bank study, the volume of cargo in the Middle Corridor needs to triple. Therefore, Georgia naturally has its own contribution to make in this direction. The Anaklia Deep Sea Port will serve both Georgia and the region and is consequently an extremely important project in the broader context of the Middle Corridor,” Ioseliani said.

The deputy minister discussed the progress of major transport infrastructure projects, highlighting ongoing upgrades at Georgian Railway. According to Ioseliani, approximately GEL 1 billion is being invested in Georgian Railway this year alone to renew rolling stock.

“Overall, this synergy and this chain are very important. The infrastructure projects being implemented by the Ministry of Infrastructure in the road sector are also important. The capacity of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port is particularly significant — the first phase will handle approximately 10 million tonnes of bulk and general cargo, as well as 600,000 TEUs of containers. This will represent a significant addition in capacity both for Georgia and the region as a whole,” Ioseliani said.

Ioseliani also stressed that construction of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port is progressing according to schedule.

“There are two extremely important projects here — the construction of the road and the construction of the railway line. As was announced several days ago, the tender for the railway line connecting to Anaklia is expected to be announced around October. This will also be an important step forward to enable the Anaklia Port to operate at full capacity in 2029,” she said.

According to Ioseliani, interest in the Anaklia Deep Sea Port has increased significantly, which she described as important for the region.

She said the project is closely linked to regional transport opportunities and the growing role of the Middle Corridor.

“The Middle Corridor is no longer merely an alternative route. Developments around the world are demonstrating that additional alternative routes are already becoming main routes. In this regard, regional cooperation is very important for us.

“Together with our partner countries, we are working to ensure that the infrastructure projects we are implementing are aligned within the broader context of the Middle Corridor. Partnership and cooperation are extremely important in this regard, and we are working very actively with our partners,” Ioseliani said.

Speaking about the Anaklia Deep Sea Port, Ioseliani said the project had entered a new stage and that the model for its implementation had changed substantially.

“Interest in the Anaklia Deep Sea Port has increased significantly. Accordingly, the development model for the port has changed, and we have moved to what is known as the landlord model.

“This means that the state remains the owner of the port, develops the port and builds the core port infrastructure, while investors enter at the stage when the operation of terminals is being considered. In other words, the terminals will be operated by private-sector companies, which will be able to operate them based on cargo volumes.

“Three components are important: attracting cargo, attracting investment and, of course, having the relevant experience to operate terminals of this type,” Ioseliani said.