APM Terminals, the operator of Poti Port and part of the MAERSK Group, is not currently considering investment in terminal infrastructure at Anaklia, according to Poti Port Administration Head Zviad Chkhartishvili. He said the company’s priority is to expand its existing facilities in Poti, where it owns 15 berths and 100 hectares of land.
Chkhartishvili said there has been no detailed discussion with the Georgian government about MAERSK investing in Anaklia. “When we are dealing with a company as large as MAERSK, which is already an investor in Georgia, we should hear what proposal the state has,” he said, noting that APM Terminals already has its own expansion plans for Poti.
He said APM Terminals needs more information about the government’s new “landlord” model for Anaklia before assessing whether the project could become a competitor. Chkhartishvili also called for closer cooperation between the government and private sector and said the industry should review the country’s 10-year transport infrastructure development plan, including the role assigned to Poti Port.
Chkhartishvili stressed that the company does not view cooperation with the government as a competition. “None of the 62 ports we operate worldwide competes with the state. Everywhere, we have partnership-based relationships, and I believe Georgia will be no exception,” he said, adding that MAERSK’s presence brings international expertise and development to Georgia.
