MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Tamar Ioseliani, inspected the renewed infrastructure of the APM Terminals Poti, the Pace Group Poti New Seaport, and the Batumi Seaport, and reviewed the prospects of further development of the ports.

Tamar Ioseliani stated that the number of incoming vessels and the amount of cargo received in Georgia have increased. Based on 9-month data for 2025, the number of vessels entering the Batumi and Poti ports was significantly increased compared to the same period last year, and the tonnage of incoming vessels was also increased. It is noteworthy that in the January-September of 2025, a total of 567 577 TEU were processed in Georgian ports, which is an increase of approximately 20% compared to the same period of 2024. A 12% growth in general cargo was also recorded during the reporting period.

The Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development also reviewed the condition of the local infrastructure and the working processes at the Batumi Railway Wagon Depot. As Tamar Ioseliani noted, demand for the Middle Corridor route is growing, which is evident from the relevant statistics: in the first nine months of 2025, the number of containers transported via the Middle Corridor, through Georgia to and from China, is 39,9% higher compared to the same period in 2024. Furthermore, the volume of cargo transported by railway under the import regime was increased by 10,8%, including an increase in the number of containers transported by railway. Tamar Ioseliani assessed that, following the planned reform for the modernization and capacity improvement of the railway, the Middle Corridor will bring even greater economic prosperity to the country.

During the port visits, activities and plans regarding maritime safety and security of sea transport, and personnel training were also discussed. Tamar Ioseliani stated that high-quality education directly affects the competitiveness of Georgian seafarers in the international labor market, and the seafarers’ labor market, in turn, is directly linked to professionalism and the level of the education system. The Deputy Minister highlighted the efforts of the Georgian government to further improve the training curriculum to make it easier for Georgian seafarers to be employed by international maritime shipping companies.

The meeting emphasized the importance of introducing modern technologies and innovations in the process of training maritime personnel at the Batumi State Maritime Academy and its Poti branch. As the Deputy Minister noted, greater focus should be placed on the full compliance of the educational processes in both institutions with modern requirements. Tamar Ioseliani assessed that the port sector and maritime activities are constantly evolving, and there is a demand in the labor market for new professions or a more qualified workforce, which requires continuous updating of training programs to satisfy.

Ivane Abashidze, Director of the Maritime Transport Agency, and Lasha Abashidze, General Director of the Georgian Railway, accompanied the Deputy Minister on her visit to Batumi and Poti.