International port operator APM Terminals, along with Poti New Terminals Consortium, have submitted a conceptual design for the expansion of the APM Terminals’ Poti Sea Port, in Georgia. The plans were received by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.
The project plan entails a 14.5-meter water depth at the 700-meter quay wall and 25 hectares of land for the bulk operation for yard and covered storage facilities for various cargo types, including grain, ore, and minerals.
"After high-level and in-depth negotiations with authorities, cargo owners, equity partners and financial institutions we concluded that Poti will continue as the prime access to the Caucasus and the Central Asian markets," said Klaus Laursen, Managing Director of APM Terminals Poti.Â
"We believe that we have the skills, ability and expertise to contribute to the economy of Georgia by persisting in our journey to further develop the Poti Sea Port," he added.
The $100m new bulk port the partnership wants will handle cargo lots up to 60,000 tons/vessel. They say it will create new opportunities for cargo owners in Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and other central Asian countries.
Poti Sea Port is currently the largest port in Georgia, handling liquids, dry bulk, passenger ferries and 80% of Georgia’s container traffic. The current multi-purpose facility has 15 berths, a total quay length of 2,900 metres, more than 20 quay cranes and 17km of rail track.
APM Terminals says the project will create around 250 new jobs and over 900 employment opportunities in related industries and services, not including temporary jobs during the construction phase.
Image: APM Terminals’ render of its expanded port at Poti, Georgia
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