Georgian ports are handling increased demand while operating “stably and efficiently

Georgia expects container volumes through its ports to surpass 700,000 units in 2025, the country told the International Maritime Organization (IMO).Speaking at the 34th session of the IMO Assembly in London on 25 November, Economy and Sustainable Development Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili said Georgian ports are handling increased demand while operating “stably and efficiently”.

The revised outlook

The revised outlook, presented to more than 150 delegations, reflects continued growth across the country’s maritime infrastructure and logistics chain. Kvrivishvili described Georgia as “a gateway, a partner, and a bridge between regions”, linking Europe and Asia through the Middle Corridor. She emphasized that real GDP grew on average by 9.8% between 2021 and 2024 and by 7.8% in the first nine months of 2025, attributing much of the momentum to transport, logistics and maritime activity.  

The Middle Corridor as a reliable and increasingly important 

The minister highlighted the Middle Corridor as a reliable and increasingly important east–west route, saying Georgia’s competitive advantage stems from an integrated multimodal system built on modern ports, an expanded railway network and upgraded highways.m She also presented details of regulatory and institutional reforms across the maritime sector, including efforts to strengthen compliance with international standards and improve the performance of maritime institutions.

Georgia has around 20,000 registered seafarers

It is noteworthy that according to Georgian officials, the country completed a voluntary IMO audit in 2015 and a mandatory audit in 2025.  Kvrivishvili placed significant attention on human capital, stating that certificates for Georgian seafarers are recognised by 74 maritime administrations, including 22 in the EU. While Georgia has around 20,000 registered seafarers and trains about 2,000 students annually at two maritime universities in Batumi and Poti, as well as at vocational schools.

Related : Georgia Ports support nearly 651,000 jobs across the Peach State

Port of Savannah container volumes up 4% through October

On the other hand the Port of Savannah handled 4.8 million twenty-foot equivalent container units in calendar year 2025 through October, up 183,250 TEUs or 4 percent. Monthly volumes in October totaled 452,934 TEUs, a decrease of 8.4 percent or 41,325 TEUs compared to October 2024.

Colonels Island Terminal at the Port of Brunswick handled 72,234 units of autos and heavy equipment in October, up 3,700 units or 5.4 percent compared to the same month last year. For calendar year 2025 through October, the Port of Brunswick handled 689,662 units of autos and heavy equipment, down 67,750 units or 9 percent. 

Blue Ridge Connector to open Spring 2026

Northeast Georgia is a high-growth manufacturing and logistics corridor for heavy equipment, forest products, food and poultry/protein exporters with a large amount of international cargo moving. The area is currently served by a five-hour truck route to/from the Port of Savannah.

Located 50 miles from Atlanta, GPA’s $127 million Blue Ridge Connector inland rail facility is nearing completion.  “We’re making strong progress and remain on track for a Spring 2026 opening,” Lynch added.

Mariam Kvrivishvili , Northeast Georgia ,Port of Savannah , Middle Corridor ,Georgian ports ,  IMO Assembly