MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

Addressing the public at the ceremony, Levan Davitashvili thanked the Georgian seafarers for their devotion to the country and their work and their honorable service.

“Development of maritime transport is very important for our country, Georgia is a maritime country and it will further establish its place in the international community in this direction. With the consistent, purposeful policy of the Government, which has been implemented for years, Georgia is a honorable member and part of the international maritime community,” – Vice Prime Minister said in his speech.

Georgia, as a maritime country, annually celebrates the International Day of Seafarer on June 25. Celebrating events are organized by the Maritime Transport Agency under the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development. This year, the ceremonial events started at the Batumi Central Park where the procession of the students of the Batumi State Maritime Academy accompanied by a brass band took place. An official ceremony dedicated to the International Day of Seafarer was held at the wharf. High-rank officials in line with Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Levan Davitashvili, Chairman of the Government of Adjara Tornike Rizhvadze, Mayor of Batumi Archil Chikovani, Head of the Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia Aleksi Akhvlediani and other officials as well as the sector representatives and invited guests participated in it. 

Vice Prime Minister made several important points, highlighting the importance for the maritime education and compliance with international conventions and standards in the field of maritime transport. Davitashvili noted that the important measures implemented by the Government in this direction, allowed Georgia to be in a so-called “white list” of the International Maritime Organization. In addition, this May, Georgia joined the Maritime Labour Convention and the national legislation corresponding to this convention - the Law of Georgia on Maritime Labour was adopted. The Law will contribute to the protection of social and labor rights of seafarers.

“Our consistent policy enabled us to make the profession of a seafarer even more appreciated in Georgia today. The maritime sector is an important part of the large transport sector, and it should be emphasized that 90% of the world’s commercial cargo is transported by sea transport. Georgia, as a country with an important transit and logistics function, is closely connected to the sea. Therefore, our policy is aimed at developing infrastructure. We announced a very important, ambitious project - this year, Georgian |Government will start the construction of the new deep water port of Anaklia, which will further strengthen the role of Georgia as a maritime country on the Black Sea. Of course, this means that we will be even more successful in transport and logistics operations, better and stronger economy will be created in the country,” – Vice Prime Minister commented.

Celebration of the International Day of Seafarers continued throughout the day in Batumi with various events, including the Award Ceremony, where representatives of the maritime profession were awarded for their special contribution to the development of the maritime industry. Traditional ceremony to deceased seafarers was also a part of the celebration.