American warship makes port visit in Batumi, Georgia

The USS Porter (DDG-78), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer from the United States' (US) Navy 6th Fleet, has made a port visit in Batumi, Georgia.

The visit was to reaffirm the US’ commitment to strengthening ties with NATO allies and partners like Georgia, while working toward mutual goals of promoting security and stability in the Black Sea region, the US Embassy in Tbilisi said.

The US warship docks near Batumi's iconic Ali and Nino statue. Photo from the US Embassy's official Facebook page. 

While in Georgia the vessel will conduct routine combined training with the Georgian Coast Guard and provide ship and press tours.

"The Porter's port visit will further build on previous US Navy visits to Georgia that enhance the professional partnerships and personal relationships between the US and its allied and partner nations,” the Embassy said in a statement.

The warship will also open its door to guests and media representatives while docked in Batumi.

The US Navy routinely operated ships in the Black Sea. Photo from the US Embassy's official Facebook page. 

The Porter, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, was deployed in a multi-mission role in the US Navy’s 6th Fleet area of operations to contribute to regional maritime security, conduct bilateral and multilateral training missions and to support NATO operations and deployments throughout the Black Sea region.

The US Navy routinely operated ships in the Black Sea, consistent with the Montreux Convention and international law.