Georgia's billion-euro project on the Black Sea

Why the deep-sea port of Anaklia is more than just infrastructure Author: Dietrich Schartner A port as an economic turning point Georgia is focusing on a project that could fundamentally change the country's economic role: the deep-sea port of Anaklia. With a planned total investment of around 2.5 billion US dollars, the project is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the country's history. But Anaklia is much more than just a classic port construction project. For the government in Tbilisi, it is at the center of a strategic reorientation: Georgia is to develop from a transit route to a central logistics hub between Europe and Asia. The missing piece of the puzzle in the "Middle Corridor" The geopolitical significance of the project is closely linked to the so-called "Middle Corridor" - a trade route that connects China and Central Asia with Europe via the South Caucasus. This route has become increasingly important since the war in Ukraine, as alternatives to transportation routes via Russia are being sought. This is precisely where Anaklia comes in. The port is to serve as a central hub and will be able to handle large container ships on the Black Sea for the first time. With a planned water depth of 16 meters, it will be significantly more efficient than the existing Georgian ports. According to experts, without such infrastructure, Georgia is at risk of falling behind in the competition for transit flows. Capacities and economic effects In the first expansion phase, the port is expected to handle up to 600,000 containers a year, with long-term plans for capacities of over 100 million tons of freight. The economic effects go far beyond pure handling. Anaklia is planned as a comprehensive logistics and industrial center, including rail and road connections as well as possible free trade zones. The government expects increasing transit turnover, new jobs and additional investment along the entire value chain. Several hundred jobs have already been created in the early stages of the project, with significant growth potential. Between progress and uncertainty Despite its strategic importance, the project is not without its challenges. Construction has been delayed several times, partly due to financing problems and political differences in the past. Even now, the implementation is not without question marks. For example, the state budget for the 2026 project has been significantly reduced, which indicates that the pace of construction needs to be adjusted. At the same time, the government is emphasizing that Anaklia remains a priority and is considered a key project for long-term economic resilience. More than just a port The political rhetoric surrounding Anaklia clearly shows how far-reaching the ambitions are. The port is not just seen as an infrastructure project, but as a platform for economic transformation. The aim is to attract international trade flows, integrate global shipping companies and establish Georgia as an integral part of global supply chains. This is also associated with a structural change: away from a strongly consumer- and service-driven economy towards a more integrated logistics and trade hub. A project with a signal effect The deep-sea port of Anaklia is an example of Georgia's economic strategy in 2026. At a time of geopolitical upheaval, the country is actively trying to translate its position between Europe and Asia into economic advantages. However, whether this project succeeds depends on more than just the progress of construction. The decisive factor will be whether infrastructure, investment and regional cooperation can actually be combined into a functioning logistics system. Anaklia is therefore not so much a single project as a test case: for Georgia's role in international trade - and for the economic future of the entire South Caucasus. The post Georgia's billion-euro project on the Black Sea appeared first on ostwirtschaft.de.