Georgia’s role in global trade is supported by two major seaports — Poti and Batumi — as well as two oil terminals in Kulevi and Supsa. These facilities connect the country to international trade routes and primarily serve import and export operations for Georgia, neighboring countries, and Central Asian markets. In 2025, the combined cargo turnover of Georgian ports and terminals reached 16.6 million tonnes, representing a 6.8% annual increase.
Ownership structures vary across the country’s maritime infrastructure. Poti Port is fully owned by APM Terminals, a subsidiary of global shipping giant Maersk. Batumi Port remains state-owned, while its operations have been leased for 49 years since 2006 to KazTransOil, a company owned by Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna. The Kulevi Oil Terminal, officially known as Black Sea Terminal, is fully owned by Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR. Meanwhile, the Supsa Oil Terminal is legally owned by Georgia’s state company Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation, although it has largely ceased operations following the suspension of the Baku-Supsa pipeline.
Beyond the main port operators, numerous companies operate within Poti and Batumi through long-term lease agreements. Their activities include oil product logistics, fertilizer handling, grain terminals, bulk cargo operations, container services, and other port-related businesses. One of the largest players is PACE Group, which has started construction of a second berth at Poti Port with a $25 million loan from the US Development Finance Corporation (DFC). The project is expected to increase the port’s annual capacity by one million tonnes.
Financial data shows the significant economic role of port-related businesses. Companies operating in and around Poti Port reported combined revenues of about GEL 550 million and profits exceeding GEL 120 million in 2024. Businesses linked to Batumi Port generated around GEL 230 million in revenue and more than GEL 50 million in profit. The Kulevi oil terminal reported GEL 129.4 million in revenue and GEL 82.8 million in profit in 2024, while Supsa Terminal remains largely inactive.
