International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI), the global developer, manager and operator of container terminals, will develop its Batumi International Container Terminal (BICT) to help maintain Georgia’s standing as a key stop along the transit corridor for the Caucasus region.
The investment was revealed by Jacob Gulmann, ICTSI Europe, Middle East and Africa Business Development Director, who warned that the country was at risk of losing trade to its ports at the 6th Black Sea Ports Conference and Exhibit last month in Adjara, Georgia.
Gulmann said: “The emergence of Iran and other West Asian ports prompted [BICT] to take action and expand for us to be able to compete and be at par with the best ports in the world.
“We fully support the Georgian government’s initiatives to ensure that the country’s ports remain globally competitive.”
Since 2014, Georgian ports have experienced a decline in container throughput due to economic weakness and the re-emergence of Iran.
Gulmann plans to keep the country competitive through upgrading BICT’s logistical connectivity to the hinterland, which would help increase its annual capacity from 150,000 to 200,000 TEUs.
The terminal will expand by doubling its reach stackers to eight, ordering another 100 metric-ton capacity mobile harbor crane, increasing its empty handlers to four and deepening its controlling depth to 12 meters.
In addition, more than 800 kilometers of road network and rail construction projects, estimated at around US$ 3.5 billion, are currently underway in Georgia.
BICT currently has a 284-meter long container berth equipped with two mobile harbor cranes averaging 35 moves per hour.
Gulmann concluded: “With these road construction projects and terminal equipment acquisitions, we feel it can help us serve our clients better and be able to grow and expand our business in Georgia.”
