Ports of Georgia: Growing Freight Turnover and Potential for Passenger Traffic

Georgia’s seaports and terminals continue to play a pivotal role in the country’s economic development, reflecting their strategic location and growing freight turnover. According to Geostat, 4,121 vessels entered Georgia’s ports in the third quarter of 2024. The leading countries of origin included Turkey (22.6%), Panama (15.3%), Malta (9.2%), and Liberia (6.6%), while the remaining ships sailed under the flags of other nations. 

Freight turnover has experienced significant growth. In the third quarter of 2024, Georgia’s ports processed 4,232.0 thousand tons of cargo, a 13.6% increase compared to the same period last year.  However, passenger traffic remains a concern. Only two thousand passengers used Georgia’s ports during the third quarter, marking a 20% decline compared to the same period last year. Notably, outbound passengers comprised 55% of the total, indicating a service gap in passenger transport that requires targeted development and promotion.

It is also noteworthy that during the same period, Georgia’s aviation sector served 204.4 thousand passengers (approximately 100x compare to ports), highlighting a stark difference in utilization between air, maritime, and road transport infrastructure. These figures point to the need for a more balanced approach to infrastructure development, ensuring that Georgia’s maritime network fulfills its potential for both cargo and passenger services.

ompared to other countries, it is clear that Georgian seaports have great potential in passenger transport, which remains underutilized. For example, in Turkey, the ports of Istanbul and Izmir are popular for both domestic and international passenger transit. The ports of Istanbul and Bodrum are often used as stopping points for cruise ships connecting Europe and Asia. Ferries to the Greek islands are also popular among passengers, which contributes to the development of tourism.

Bulgarian ports, such as Varna and Burgas, are also considered key transportation hubs on the Black Sea coast. Varna Port regularly receives cruise ships, demonstrating that port development can facilitate not only cargo transport but also boost tourism. This model could be attractive for Georgian ports as well, especially if their infrastructure is adapted to meet tourism demands.

These examples indicate that Georgian ports have the potential to attract more international and domestic passenger flows, which requires additional investment in infrastructure and improvements in service quality. Compared to aviation, ports can represent a viable travel option, particularly for tourism-related routes, which would ultimately have a positive impact on the country’s economic growth and development.