Uzbekistan eyes expanded cargo traffic through Georgia’s Poti Port

Uzbekistan is seeking to expand export and import cargo transportation through Georgia’s Black Sea port of Poti as part of efforts to diversify trade routes and strengthen regional connectivity, the Ministry of Transport said.

 

During a visit to Georgia on 29 June, First Deputy Minister of Transport Mamanbiy Omarov and Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Georgia and Azerbaijan, Bahrom Ashrafkhanov, met with Georgia’s Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Tamar Ioseliani to discuss closer cooperation in the transport sector.

The talks focused on increasing the use of Georgia’s port infrastructure for Uzbek cargo, advancing joint transport projects and expanding freight transportation by road, rail, sea and air. The sides also discussed integrating Uzbekistan’s transport network more closely with the Middle Corridor, the trade route linking Central Asia with Europe via the Caucasus.

Focus on Poti’s logistics infrastructure

The Uzbek delegation visited Poti Port, where it held meetings with representatives of the Poti Free Industrial Zone, APM Terminals, Poti New Sea Port and Pace Group.

The delegation reviewed the port’s logistics capabilities, including facilities for receiving, storing, handling and transshipping export, import and transit cargo. Discussions also covered containerisation services, temporary storage facilities, warehouse capacity and improving multimodal transport operations.

According to the ministry, both sides explored ways to make greater use of Poti’s infrastructure for Uzbek freight while ensuring a more stable, competitive and efficient logistics chain.

Dedicated Uzbek terminal under construction

The discussions come as Uzbekistan continues building its own multifunctional logistics terminal in the Poti Free Industrial Zone, a project launched in September 2024.

The 30-hectare terminal, valued at $18.3 million, is designed to strengthen Uzbekistan’s access to international markets through the Black Sea.

The first phase includes a 1,000-tonne frozen goods warehouse. The second phase will add a 5,000-square-metre enclosed warehouse for general cargo, while the final stage oversees construction of bulk cargo storage facilities and a terminal for oversized and containerised freight.

Supporting new export markets

The Poti terminal forms part of Uzbekistan’s broader strategy to diversify export routes and reduce reliance on traditional transport corridors.

The project was first proposed in 2023 during discussions with the Uzbek Textile and Garment Industry Association (Uztextileprom), with the aim of facilitating exports of cotton, silk and textile products to markets including the United States, Canada and Japan.

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News cargo traffic Georgia Uzbekistan regional cooperation Regional Connectivity Black Sea trade partnership