POTI SEA PORT - THE GATEWAY OF THE CAUCASUS REGION AND THE “SILK ROAD”

VAKHTANG TAVBERIDZE

Batumi Navigation Teaching University Professor, Head of the Department of Navigation, Captain of Poti Port,

Batumi, Georgia

E-mail: v.tavberidze@bntu.edu.ge

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7323-5570

Abstract

Seaports are the most important guarantee of growth and stability of the Georgian economy. At the same time, in the current context of pan­de­mics and COVID-restrictions, shipping acquires special significance in the face of lockdowns and multilateral bans.

In the present article, we have tried to present the current situation and pr­o­spects related to the cargo turnover of the Poti Port, its increase and, in general, its efficiency increase, to evaluate the expected results and ad­vantages of the port expansion.

The issue of expansion of the Poti Port has been discussed for several de­cades and relevant studies have been conducted in this regard. In 2011, the conceptual plan for the renewal and optimization of the new port of Poti was developed. These studies were commissioned by APM Te­rminals Poti and conducted by Royal Haskoning DHV.

The expansion of Poti Seaport will increase the competitive advantage of Georgian-made businesses and will have a direct impact on co­n­s­u­mers. Port container cargo capacity will increase to 1 million TEUs, and 60,000 tonnes of Panamax-type bulk cargo vessels will be provided w­ith efficient new port infrastructure and facilities. In total, the annual ca­rgo capacity of the port will increase by an additional 10 million tons.