MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

Levan Davitashvili: Nothing stands in the way of the implementation of the Anaklia Port and we keep our promises. We will be able to receive the first ships by 2029 at the latest

22-10-2024

First Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Levan Davitashvili, along with the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze, participated in the event dedicated to launching of the design and construction of marine infrastructure of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port. "Anaklia Deep Sea Port is an important part of our long-term vision –being an important component of the transport and logistics infrastructure, it also an important part of the spatial development of the country as well an important center of economic activity for the whole country and especially, for the Samegrelo Region," – Levan Davitashvili said in his speech.

The Belgian company Jan De Nul N.V. is in charge of preparing of the design and construction of the infrastructure of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port, namely the deepening of the seabed of the port's water area and the installation of a "wave-breaker". Jan De Nul N.V. is specialized in the marine construction works and has implemented many large-scale projects all over the world. According to Levan Davitashvili, in September, the company started the geological study works as well as the detailed design is underway. The construction stage of the in-depth works and important marine infrastructure will begin quite soon.
 
The First Vice Prime Minister emphasized the importance of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port in terms of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and the integration of Georgia into the international transport systems. According to his assessment, the port will be a serious incentive for the development of production in the country, expansion of the foreign trade, and economic growth in general. In the first phase, the capacity of the project will be 600 000 containers, the port will be able to handle about 8 million tons of cargo.

In addition, according to Levan Davitashvili, Georgia has had a positive dynamic in international shipments. Compared to 2019, the cargo flow has been increased by 37%. At the same time, the rate of container handling in Georgian harbors is at a historical maximum – in 2023, Batumi and Poti ports processed over 701 thousand containers (TEU), which is by 47% higher number than the data of 2022. As Levan Davitashvili noted, the launching of the Anaklia Port will also give a new boost to the development of ferry traffic on the Black Sea, which is another priority of the government, as it is the shortest way to be connected to the EU countries.

"We often talk about Georgia's unique geopolitical location. The development of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port will be an important cornerstone in the development of the infrastructure of the Middle Corridor, to increase the competitiveness of the corridor as a whole and to increase the role of Georgia," –the First Vice Prime Minister said.

Levan Davitashvili also emphasized the enormous social significance of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port for the country and the local population. According to his information, within the first phase, over 500 people are to be employed directly during the construction process while over 300 direct jobs will be created during the operation of the port, which will lead to creating of additional 1700 jobs in the field of logistics. According to the assessment of the First Vice Prime Minister, this will be an important unique ecosystem both for the economy of the whole country and especially for the region.

Levan Davitashvili noted that the talks has already been started with the owners of the cargo and transport companies to ensure the success of the project, make it commercially sustainable and competitive in the long term. According to his information, the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development has already started negotiations with important operators and commercial agents. "In a few days, the Ministry will start signing memorandums with large transport and cargo companies, which will further increase the attractiveness of Anaklia. Nothing stands in the way of the implementation of the project, we fulfill our promises, the project is progressing according to plan, and by 2029 at the latest, we will be able to receive the first ships in the deep-sea port of Anaklia. However, we will be mobilized in order to speed up this process as much as possible," – Levan Davitashvili said.

Within the framework of the event, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the company Jan De Nul and the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia. The document envisages the opportunity for the Batumi State Maritime Academy students to have practice on a ships owned by the company and engaged in the dredging works to be implemented in Anaklia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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