Georgia- The Anaklia Deep Sea Port, set to reshape Georgia’s maritime landscape, is planned to be developed over nine phases with a total investment of $2.5 billion. Designed with a depth of 16 meters, the port will accommodate vessels up to 10,000 TEUs, establishing itself as a key hub on the “One Belt One Road” route. Strategically located on the shortest path between China and Europe, the port will serve as a vital gateway for cargo entering the landlocked regions of Central Asia and the Caucasus.
Georgia’s strategic position along the ancient trade route, now revitalized as the New Silk Road, highlights Anaklia Port’s potential to boost trade between Europe and Asia. The port will cater to a primary market of 17 million people in the Caucasus region, including Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. Moreover, it will provide access to 147 million people in landlocked Central Asian countries like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, as well as Northern Iran.
In the summer of 2017, SSA Marine, one of the world’s largest terminal operators, was appointed as the container terminal operator for Anaklia Deep Sea Port. With operations in 250 strategic locations worldwide, SSA Marine brings unparalleled expertise in port operations. As a strategic equity investor in the Anaklia Development Consortium, SSA Marine aims to make the port a main gateway for trade between Europe and Asia.
Phase 1 of the port’s development, expected to be completed within three years, will feature a capacity of 9.3 million tons. This phase includes a quay wall of 825 meters, a depth of 16 meters, three berths (increasing to six), and four STS cranes (increasing to six). Additionally, the port will have 12 RTGs (increasing to 18), a 1,600-meter breakwater, and an intermodal yard with 10 tracks, each 800 meters long. The initial phase will utilize 60 hectares of land to construct a container terminal with a capacity of up to 900,000 TEUs and a dry bulk cargo facility with a capacity of 1.5 million tons, ensuring 95% uptime of port operations.
The full nine-phase project envisions a 2,250-meter quay wall, a 2,940-meter breakwater (both north and south), seven container berths with a total capacity of 59 million tons per year, two dry/break bulk berths with a capacity of 5 million tons per year, and one liquid bulk berth with a capacity of 36 million tons per year. Once fully operational, Anaklia Deep Sea Port will handle 100 million tons of cargo annually.
A Chinese consortium comprising China Communications Construction Company Ltd and China Harbor Investment has been chosen as the private investor for the port’s construction. The Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Levan Davitashvili, announced that the consortium would be declared the winner of the Anaklia port project, marking a significant milestone. With detailed proposals submitted and relevant bank guarantees in place, partnership agreement negotiations are set to commence shortly, promising substantial employment opportunities and economic benefits for the region.
As part of ongoing preparations, a state-established company has begun work on the marine infrastructure, including dredging and breakwater construction. The land required for the first phase of construction will be transferred to this company. A joint port construction company will be formed with the private investor, with the state holding a 51% stake and the private partner 49%. The Anaklia Deep Sea Port is set to become a crucial player in global trade, enhancing connectivity between Europe and Asia and driving economic growth in the region.
Soruce:
Anaklia Development Consortium
