OREANDA-NEWS. November 30. In the 3-year period, Black Sea port of Poti (Georgia) doubled transshipment of containerized cargo to 160,000 TEU. The port considers this type of cargo to be one of the basic directions in its development, Eduard Machavariani, Director on Commerce and Investments of Poti Sea Port told at the Black Sea Container Summit held in Odessa in November.

In 2005 the port’s throughput totaling 80,000 was a record result throughout a 20-year period. “Poti is the only port in Georgia to handle containers”, Mr. Machavariani said.
According to the speaker, the port currently sees stable growth rates of container turnover (+25% annually). In view of strategic interests the management approved a program for extensive development with opening of new container facilities at the territory adjacent to the port (400 hectares). The target is to ensure handling of Post-Panamax vessels with of up to 6,500 TEU in capacity. The project is to be implemented by 2015 with the capacity of new facilities reaching 5,000 TEU. Among the bidders Mr. Machavariani named Dubai World, Hutchison Westports, Rak Investment Autority UAE, HHLA, CMA CGM.