Georgia is set to build the first deep sea port that will serve as a new maritime corridor connecting China to Europe. (Photo : Reuters)
Georgia has announced plans to construct its first deep sea port, a project that will cost around $25 billion and will serve as a new maritime corridor that will connect China to Europe, according to an article published on CRIENGLISH.com.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili explained the project's significance during a news conference held in Tbilisi, the country's capital.
"This will bring completely new opportunities to Georgia to implement the concept of the Silk Road on a new scale. It will enable the South Caucasus transport corridor to operate at a new capacity and scale," the prime minister was quoted as saying.
Kvirikashvili said that the port will be built and developed by Anaklia Development Consortium, which has been chosen from six other parties that bid for the project.
The report said that the project is a joint venture between the Georgian-based TBC Holding and Conti International, a U.S.-based developer of infrastructure and capital projects.
Levan Akhveldiani, the general director of the consortium, hailed the project as a very important and an unprecedented initiative.
"It will create the first deep sea port in Georgia and it will facilitate the trade routes going through the South Caucasus," the director said. "It will not be only important for Georgia the entire region, central Asian countries and especially benefit the Chinese 'One Belt, One Road' initiative, which is the shortest route going from China to Europe and Georgia lays as a gateway and Anaklia will serve as a gateway for that route."
Mamuka Khazaradze, president of TBC Holding, welcomed and praised the project.
"We are implementing the project which will link Asia and Europe," Khazaradze said. "This will be a continuation of China's One Belt One Road initiative, which is a new concept for old Silk Road."
According to the report, the construction of the project will start by the end of this year, and the port is expected to become operational three years from now.
The port has a cargo capacity that will enable it to handle the largest container ships that need deep-sea access.
The report said that it has long been a major priority of Georgia to restore the historic Silk Road and build a faster maritime corridor between China and Europe.
