Poti: Georgia is actively gearing up for an anticipated surge in cargo traffic, with Poti solidifying its role as the principal Black Sea container gateway. "Poti already remains the main Black Sea container gateway of the corridor, handling approximately 636,500 TEU in 2025, with around 17% container growth year-on-year, compared to roughly 105,000 TEU in Baku, despite Baku showing faster percentage growth (37%)," stated Lasha Amashukeli, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Royal Express, during a discussion with AZERTAC.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Amashukeli emphasized the strategic significance of APM Terminals Poti's deep-water expansion, particularly the new Berth 2 project. This development features a roughly 700-meter deep-water quay with a draft of 13.5-14.5 meters, enabling the terminal to accommodate vessels with capacities of up to 9,000 TEU. This enhancement is set to substantially boost Georgia's capabilities in the Black Sea region.

The first phase of this expansion represents an investment exceeding USD 250 million, designed to establish a foundation for approximately 1 million TEU of annual capacity in the medium term. In the long term, the mega-port concept aims to handle up to 50 million tons and 2 million TEU annually. Amashukeli's insights underscore Georgia's robust potential and ongoing preparations to manage increased cargo flow effectively.