AD Ports Group (AD Ports) has announced the completion of the acquisition process for the Tbilisi Dry Port, making the Group the majority owner with a 60 per cent stake.
The rail-linked and custom-bonded intermodal logistics hub in Georgia is said to strengthen the Group’s role in connecting Asia and Europe via the Middle Trade Corridor, linking manufacturing centres in Western Asia to consumer markets in Eastern Europe by leveraging a network of sea and dry ports across Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, and Turkey.
The port is set to open in October 2024.
Abdulaziz Zayed AlShamsi, Regional CEO, AD Ports Group said: “We are fully focused on successfully operating this important logistics hub, which enhances connectivity between Western Asia and Eastern Europe, and positions AD Ports Group at the forefront of global trade.
“This is the latest in a number of strategic international investments by AD Ports Group, in line with our wise leadership’s vision, to advance economic growth, job creation and mutual benefit.”
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The new hub is ideally located between the Caspian and Black Seas, in the centre of the Middle Corridor, and includes a container freight terminal, warehouses, and a vehicle storage park.
It serves as a critical point of entrance, departure, and regional transit for manufacturers, shippers, and consignees transporting containers, cars, and other commodities for distribution and storage.
The proposal includes direct westward railway linkages to Turkey’s Poti and Georgia’s Batumi ports, as well as connections to European Black Sea ports in Bulgaria and Romania.
The project will be completed in three parts. By the completion of the initial phase, the handling capacity is planned to be 96,500 TEU, with 10,000 square metres of warehouse space and a vehicle storage yard.
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Upon the completion of phase three, the project will have a handling capacity of 286,000 TEU, 100,000 square metres of warehouse and a significantly expanded car storage yard. Further land plots have already been secured and can be developed as and when needed.
The Middle Corridor is recognized as the quickest commercial route between Asia and Europe, covering around 7,000 kilometres and taking 10 to 15 days.
The present Northern Corridor covers around 10,000 kilometres overland in 15 to 20 days, but the Southern Ocean Route extends approximately 20,000 kilometres and takes 45 to 60 days to complete by sea.
The Middle Corridor is planned to service a significant increase in container traffic, with the potential to reach 1.9 million TEU by 2040.
