As Mariam Kvrivishvili, Georgia’s Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, announced at the Second Trans‑Caspian Transport Corridor and Connectivity Investors Forum, the country intends to invest USD 7 billion in transport, logistics, and infrastructure projects over the next seven years.
The construction of the Anaklia Deep-Sea Port, a full modernization of the national railway network, expansion and construction of key highways, and the development of a new international airport at Vaziani are included in the investment package.
According to the minister, the aim of these projects is to make Georgia a strategic transit hub connecting Europe and Asia through the so-called “Middle Corridor” due to the country’s location between the Caspian region, the South Caucasus, and the Black Sea.
The role of the Anaklia port in this plan is central. As Kvrivishvili said, the port will handle 600,000 TEUs by 2029, with capacity expected to rise to at least 1 million TEUs by 2035. This move could significantly boost Georgia’s maritime logistics capabilities. Also, is critical to expand port and transport infrastructure for ensuring the “uninterrupted transit of growing trade flows between Europe and Asia.”
According to Kvrivishvili, funding alone would not be enough for the program of such scale. Private sector should also be strongly involved in it. Moreover, international financial institutions should support Georgia’s strategy of combining public investment with private partnerships and international cooperation to develop a modern, multimodal transport network.
However, the modernization of Georgian infrastructure has already begun under the national economic reform program. It comprises expanding and upgrading roads, railways, seaports, and logistics centers, including new deep-water facilities. Regional connectivity goals, integrating Georgia’s networks with broader transport corridors across the Caspian, the South Caucasus, and Europe also align with these investments.
Nevertheless, there are some challenges. Notably, they haven’t finalized les negotiations with a preferred investor for the Anaklia port, announced more than a year ago. Bottlenecks in customs procedures and limited ferry connections between Georgia and European ports Kvrivishvili were also mentioned. They expect full digitalization and better data sharing to improve efficiency.
The nearest plans of the government are focusing on renewing railway rolling stock and freight fleets, completing remaining sections of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway, and deploying unified digital services across logistics networks. Due to these measures, cargo transit times through Georgia can be reduced by up to 30%.
In general, Georgia can become a more competitive and efficient hub for goods moving between Europe, the Caspian region, and Central Asia.
NH Logistics GEO has been offering IOR Importer of Record and EOR Exporter of Record services since 2001 and is a market leader in Georgia and Eurasia, supporting many clients with their import/export shipments.
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