The Maritime Transport Agency has stated that reports claiming the Russian cruise ship Astoria Grande is returning to the port of Batumi are untrue and intended to mislead the public.

According to the agency, there is no confirmed application for the vessel’s entry into the port of Batumi, nor is any such application currently being processed.

It urged all interested parties to refrain from disseminating unverified information and to rely exclusively on official sources.

“We would like to emphasize that there is no confirmed application for the vessel’s entry into the port of Batumi, nor is any such application currently being processed.

Such unverified and emotionally charged statements are being deliberately spread in order to create tension and speculation within society.

All procedures in Georgia’s maritime sector are carried out in full compliance with applicable legislation, as well as international obligations, including security, border control, and sanctions compliance requirements.

We urge all interested parties to refrain from spreading unverified information and to rely only on official sources,” the Agency stated.