Cargo volumes handled at Poti Sea Port continue to grow, according to Zviad Chkhartishvili, head of administration at the port. In January–September 2026, the port handled 525,211 TEU of containers, up by 9% year-on-year. Speaking on Business Morning, Chkhartishvili said growth covered container, general and ferry cargo, while awareness of containerized shipping is also increasing across Georgia, the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
Chkhartishvili said the port is focusing on Central Asian markets, where shipping companies have begun regularly delivering cargo in containers. This has led to empty containers accumulating in the region and being tested for loaded shipments. He stressed that handling loaded containers is especially important because many containers exported from Georgia leave the port empty. Transit cargo arriving from Central Asia and shipped onward to other global markets can generate additional revenue for the port.
Commenting on the Middle Corridor’s potential, Chkhartishvili said it must become more competitive amid strong competition from northern and southern routes. “The Middle Corridor has always been an alternative. Our goal should be to make it a competitive corridor of choice, rather than a forced option,” he said. He added that Poti currently cannot accommodate a sudden additional million TEU of container traffic, highlighting the need to expand capacity and attract more cargo.
Poti Port’s annual capacity is currently 600,000 TEU, but the port expects to exceed that level this year and is prepared to handle around 650,000 TEU. A newly purchased crane is expected to increase capacity by another 50,000 TEU. Chkhartishvili said practical limits could reach approximately 650,000 TEU this year and 700,000 TEU next year, making further expansion necessary as cargo volumes grow.
