The Parliament continues to discuss the amendments to the Maritime Code, which obliges Port operators in Georgia to deepen the access channels to the port. The same law regulates the relationship between port operators and prohibits one operator to charge the vessels of other operators.
The initiative is opposed by Poti port operator APM Terminals, whose rights are represented by the law firm BLB. At today's sitting, Kakha Sharabidze, the managing partner of the law firm, told the MPs that the APM had prepared a 17-page document of remarks, which would be sent to the parliament today. According to Kakha Sharabidze, the Poti port operator believes that if this law is adopted, their interests will be fundamentally violated.
"We sent a 17-page document this morning, which is a note from APM Terminals. Please read this document and it will be more interesting for you to study it at the next session.
We will not raise this issue in today's session and wait for the next meeting. I have been introduced with today's data, committee members will also be given the opportunity to read this. Listening to a second reading session is still an opportunity to learn. More than 10 days come out before the next session. APM terminals think that this law fundamentally violates their interests," Kakha Sharabidze said.
Davit Songhulashvili, one of the authors of the bill and the chairman of the Committee on Sectoral Economics, declares that because the initiative is not voted on today and MPs will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the company's remarks.
"This bill is not considered at the current session and it will be passed for the next session, the accelerated status will automatically be released, which has been the concern for the representatives of APM terminals," said David Songhulashvili.
Poti Port is operated by APM Terminals since 2011. In addition, other operators are operating in Poti Port that pay rental fees to APM terminals. The largest among them is the Pace Group, which also opened a new terminal in February.
Under the changes to the Maritime Code, the APM Terminals will not be able to charge a fee to ships, which enter the port for other operators.
