The train-ferry service between Georgian and Russian Black Sea ports of Poti and Kavkaz respectively will be launched in August, Armenian Economy Minister Vahan Kerobyan said.

The train-ferry service was originally supposed to start on June 15 for transportation of goods to and from Armenia to Russia and beyond, but was delayed due to absence of the permission of a Dutch company that operates the Port of Poti in Georgia.

'Although the launch of the ferry service took more time, it will be definitely launched this month,' Kerobyan said.

"All the issues have been resolved. And now the only problem that still needs to be resolved is that we will need to get permits online for each product to be able to carry out shipments. And I think we're ready to release the schedule of the service. That will happen in the next few days," said Kerobyan.

Earlier, the Armenian government decided to fully subsidize for 6 months the transportation of goods to and from Armenia by the ferry service from the port of Poti (Georgia) to Port of Kavkaz (Russia) and backward.

On May 5, C&M International LLC was declared by the Armenian government the operator of the train-ferry service.

The Poti –Port Kavkaz train-ferry link between Georgia and Russia is viewed as an alternative to the Russian-Georgian border crossing at Upper Lars which processes the bulk of Armenia’s cargo traffic with Russia.

The border crossing is frequently closed due to blizzards and landslides in winter and spring, causing Armenian companies serious losses as hundreds of Armenian trucks strand there for weeks, ARKA reports.