Poti, Georgia

Port Overview

Poti is Georgia’s largest seaport, situated on the eastern Black Sea coast at the mouth of the Rioni River. Handling around 85% of Georgia’s container traffic, it serves as a critical gateway for trade with Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. The port features 15 berths and is strategically important as the main hub for international cargo to and from Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Poti’s annual container throughput is approximately 185,000 TEU, underscoring its role as the country’s primary maritime logistics center.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Poti, Georgia’s main port facilities include a modern container terminal with a 7.8-hectare yard, dedicated refrigerated container zones, nine rail sidings, and a customs inspection station. Key equipment features include fully electric ship-to-shore cranes and advanced cargo handling systems. The port handles containers, Ro-Ro, and general cargo, with annual capacity exceeding 500,000 TEU and expansion underway to surpass one million TEU. Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and digital systems support efficient operations.

Container Terminals

Poti, Georgia’s container terminals have 15 berths and handle approximately 210,000 TEU annually. The port features modern quay cranes and container yards, supporting efficient operations but is not fully automated. Major operators include APM Terminals, which manages the main container terminal, and Pace Group, which operates a new terminal area. The port serves as Georgia’s primary gateway for containerized cargo, connecting Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus region.

Port Services

• Container handling: Dedicated terminals for containerized cargo, including loading, unloading, and storage.
• Cargo operations: Handling of bulk, breakbulk, liquid, and general cargo, as well as vehicle imports and exports.
• Ship services: Provision of water, fuel oil, garbage disposal, limited ship repairs, pilotage, and tug assistance.
• Warehousing: Bonded and general storage facilities for various cargo types, including specialized grain and commodity storage.
• Customs: On-site customs clearance, inspection, and documentation services for efficient import and export processing.

Global Connectivity

Poti, Georgia is a major Black Sea port serving as a key gateway between Europe and Central Asia. It is directly connected by sea to ports in Romania and Bulgaria, and by land to the Caucasus and Central Asian countries such as Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Poti handles high volumes of container and Ro-Ro traffic, supporting shipping routes to major markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia.

Port Statistics

Port of Poti, Georgia – Key Statistics (2025):

• TEU Throughput: 545,297 TEU in 2024; 146,468 TEU in Q1 2025, indicating strong growth.
• World Ranking: Not in the global top 100 container ports.
• Number of Berths: 15.
• Port Area: Approximately 320 hectares.
• Shipping Lines: Serviced by major lines including Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, COSCO, and Hapag-Lloyd.