Tamar Ioseliani, Georgia’s Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, said that the Anaklia Deep-Sea Port is set to welcome its first vessel by 2029.
She revealed this information during a panel discussion at the Silk Road Forum in Tbilisi, earlier this week.
“We consider the Anaklia Deep Sea Port as the main gateway for the Middle Corridor, which will allow Georgia to receive larger vessels. The total depth of the port will be 16 meters,” Ioseliani said.
According to Ioseliani, receiving large vessels at the port will reduce the transit time and costs to Georgia, increase the efficiency of the transport system, and attract high-value cargo to the corridor. Also, this will effectively save cargo turnover costs, accelerate processes within the framework of the Free Trade Agreements, and create opportunities for the establishment of Free Trade Industrial Zones.
“In 2024, our ports actually received approximately 1,7 thousand vessels and processed nearly 600 000 TEU and 5,6 million tons of cargo, almost reaching their full capacity. It is important to note that container throughput was increased by 20% compared to the first nine months of last year,” she added.
At the moment, preparatory work is continuing under state funding. Jan De Nul has been contracted to handle seabed dredging and construct the port’s main breakwater.
Ioseliani said that mobilization work has been completed and that “construction activities will begin very soon.”