Construction of Georgia's first deep-water port kicks off

Construction of the deep-water port in the city of Anaklia - a project of strategic importance for Georgia - has begun, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said, Report informs via local media.

"Today we are marking the beginning of construction of the Anaklia deep-water port, a project of the greatest strategic importance for our country. The Belgian company Jan De Nul, the winner of the tender for the design and construction of the port's marine infrastructure, started work on September 16 according to plan. The Anaklia deep-water port ... will play an important role in the development of the country's port infrastructure, as well as in improving infrastructure and increasing the competitiveness of the Middle Corridor connecting the transport systems of Europe and Asia," said the Prime Minister during his speech at the opening ceremony.

According to him, the first stage involves deepening the seaport's water area, and significant progress has already been made as a result of intensive work.

"As for the process of selecting a private partner for the port project, at this stage, the details of the submitted proposal are being clarified with the Chinese-Singaporean consortium, after which a partnership agreement and a concession agreement will be signed in the near future," Kobakhidze said.

According to him, up to 500 people will be employed in construction and logistics work during the first stage of the project. The port's capacity, as the Prime Minister noted, will be 600,000 containers upon completion of the first phase of the project, and the estimated investment cost is $600 million.

"In 10 years, no one will recognize Georgia. When I look at the fundamental issues, approach, and spirit of how you care for the economy, I am sure that another golden age is awaiting Georgia," said Jan Pieter de Nul, director of the Belgian marine infrastructure construction company Jan De Nul, at the opening ceremony.