Georgia's Acting PM says Anaklia deep sea port will receive first ships by 2029

Irakli Kobakhidze, Georgia’s Acting Prime Minister, on Thursday said the in-construction Anaklia deep sea port in the country’s Black Sea town would be able to receive first ships by 2029 as the “latest deadline”.

Speaking at a plenary session of Parliament, Kobakhidze noted the port, with an initial investment of $600 million, would have a capacity to handle 600,000 containers per year, adding the first phase of its construction would employ “numerous” individuals.

We hope that this project will be completed by 2028, although 2029 is the latest deadline for the completion of the project. [...] The Belgian company [Jan De Nul, which won the tender for the design and construction of the port’s water infrastructure] is already carrying out infrastructure works and these works will continue intensively”, he said.

The Acting PM also emphasised the “strategic importance” of the project for the country and the western Samegrelo region.

Kobakhidze said achieving economic progress required the implementation of “specific projects”.

One of the key tasks in this effort is to strengthen the connectivity and transit functions of our country, while further expanding trade and economic relations. Effective management will ensure that all planned projects are properly executed over the next four years”, he said.

The Acting PM mentioned the construction of the Tbilisi-Batumi highway, connecting the capital city to the Black Sea resort, would be completed next year, including the project of Rikoti Pass - a major crossing between eastern and western parts of Georgia.

Our goal is to extend the highway to the border. Within the next four years, the highway will be fully constructed all the way to the borders of Armenia and Azerbaijan; we are planning a four-lane highway. Additionally, we intend to build the Batumi-Sarpi section leading to the border of Turkey, a two-lane highway”, he said.

Kobakhidze highlighted progress made in the eastern Kakheti direction,saying the section from Tbilisi to Sagarejo had already been completed, and construction would continue until Badiauri, finishing by next year. Subsequently, work will advance on the highway towards Tchalaubani.

“We will also construct the Gurjaani-Telavi highway, the Lagodekhi bypass, and the Anaklia-Teklati highway, which is crucial for the successful operation of the Anaklia project”, he said.

“The Rustavi four-lane highway is equally important for improving mobility for the residents of Rustavi and Tbilisi. Overall, this project is vital for our country, and work will be actively underway on the Larsi section as well. We have ambitious plans for the next four years, and effective management will ensure that all these initiatives are successfully implemented”, Kobakhidze added.