Anaklia Sea Port Rejects Claims Project Has Been Scaled Back

Anaklia Sea Port has rejected claims by some political figures that the parameters of Georgia’s planned deep-sea port have been reduced, saying the allegations are technically inaccurate and amount to manipulation aimed at discrediting the project.

In a statement, the company said neither the scale of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port project nor the operational capabilities envisaged for its first phase had been reduced.

“Following the basic design, a 100% detailed design was prepared under the Design & Build contract. Based on additional hydrological, geological, bathymetric, hydrodynamic and navigational studies, the parameters of the dredging works, breakwater and entrance channel were further refined,” the statement said.

The company rejected claims that a depth of 17.5–18 metres would restrict the port to Panamax vessels, saying the parameters would allow it to handle Panamax ships as well as larger Post-Panamax and Bosphorusmax-class container vessels with higher cargo capacity.

It also said comparisons between dredging volumes of 7.5 million cubic metres and 5.25 million cubic metres were misleading.

According to the statement, the 7.5 million cubic metre estimate was calculated during the basic design stage by international engineering consultancy Royal HaskoningDHV. The same company later determined the final figure of 5.25 million cubic metres on the basis of detailed design work and updated bathymetric data for the entrance and turning channels.

The company added that up to approximately 3 million cubic metres of additional material is expected to be removed during the construction of the berths.

“Drawing conclusions from these figures that the port has been ‘scaled down’ is technically incorrect,” the statement said.

Anaklia Sea Port also dismissed claims that the revised parameters could make it more difficult to safely accommodate vessels, saying the dimensions of the entrance channel, turning basin and breakwater were determined specifically on the basis of navigational safety requirements and actual hydrodynamic conditions.

The company described Anaklia as a multi-phase deep-sea port project. The state is currently developing the core maritime infrastructure required for the first phase, while work on subsequent phases and the master plan is continuing under the landlord port model.

The aim, it said, is to expand the port’s capacity in line with growing cargo flows along the Middle Corridor and across the wider region.

“Anaklia Port is not being reduced — it is being built and developed,” the statement said, adding that the first vessel is expected to call at the port in 2029.

The company said the project is intended to provide Georgia with a modern and competitive deep-sea port, strengthen the country’s role along the Middle Corridor, increase its transit capacity and serve its long-term economic and strategic interests.

Anaklia Sea Port said the project involves high-level international and Georgian experts. Maritime infrastructure works are being carried out jointly with Georgian partners by Jan De Nul, a major international marine construction company and a member of Europe’s so-called “Big Four” dredging contractors.