Georgia’s Black Sea ports are showing impressive momentum in 2025, with APM Terminals Poti and Batumi Sea Port both reporting significant growth, strengthening their roles as key gateways for regional trade.
Poti Port: Growth Fueled by Expansion and Trade
APM Terminals Poti has seen solid growth in the first nine months of 2025, handling over 480,000 TEU, a 16% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Ship traffic also rose, with 268 container vessels calling at the port, up from 237 last year.
General cargo throughput increased by 24%, reaching more than 200,000 tons, while car-container traffic grew by 12%, reflecting the port’s steady expansion of ferry and Ro-Ro services. The total number of vehicles processed remained stable, showing the port’s consistent role in handling Georgia’s diverse trade flows.
Poti Sea Port, located at the mouth of the Rioni River, is Georgia’s largest multipurpose port and a vital node in the Trans-Caucasian trade corridor. Since APM Terminals acquired the port in 2011, they have invested heavily in infrastructure, and a major expansion is underway. Plans include a new deep-water quay, additional cranes, and expanded container storage, aiming to increase the port’s capacity by several hundred thousand TEU in the coming years.
The expansion aligns with the urgent market demand for additional capacity, improved reliability, and faster transit times along the Caspian corridor.
Batumi Sea Port: A Hub of Transshipment and Energy Logistics
Meanwhile, Batumi Sea Port has surpassed 6 million tons of cargo turnover as of November 2025. The growth was driven by container shipments, ferry traffic, dry cargo, and increased handling of oil and light petroleum products from Kazakhstan.
Farkhat Tashibayev, General Director of Batumi Oil Terminal, emphasized the port’s strategic role: “We continue to strengthen Batumi’s position as a key link in the Trans-Caspian transport route, ensuring stable supply chains and supporting economic cooperation between Kazakhstan, Georgia, and the Black Sea region.”
Batumi has also seen impressive growth in specific cargo categories this year, including metal products, bulk cargo, grain, and raw sugar. In addition, the port recently received “Green Port” certification, highlighting its commitment to sustainable operations.
Looking Ahead
Both ports are positioned for continued growth. Poti’s expansion projects aim to increase container throughput and improve operational efficiency, while Batumi’s growing cargo volumes and environmental initiatives reinforce its role as a reliable hub for both general cargo and energy logistics.
Together, they are vital links in Georgia’s trade infrastructure and the broader Trans-Caspian corridor, connecting Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.
By Team GT
