Georgia has officially begun dredging works for the long-awaited Anaklia Deepwater Port after the arrival of the first dredging vessel, marking a significant milestone in one of the country's most ambitious infrastructure projects.
Georgia's long-awaited Anaklia Deepwater Port has reached a major milestone.
Dredging works have officially begun at the site following the arrival of the first dredging vessel, Tristão da Cunha, in the waters where the future port will be built. The Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development said the vessel will begin work on the breakwater channel once all legally required procedures have been completed.
The development marks an important step forward for a project that has been years in the making and is expected to strengthen Georgia's role as a regional transport hub.
According to the ministry, the sea area off Anaklia will be deepened to 17.5 metres, allowing the port to accommodate large modern cargo vessels. Once dredging is complete, construction will begin on a 1,380-metre breakwater designed to protect the port basin from Black Sea waves and currents.
The dredging and marine construction are being carried out by Belgian company Jan De Nul N.V., one of the world's leading dredging and marine engineering firms, working alongside Georgian partners.
Jan De Nul won the contract in 2024 and has already completed preparatory work, including hydrodynamic testing in Copenhagen to optimise the breakwater's design. The company has also been manufacturing the specialised Xbloc units required for the breakwater and mobilising construction materials in recent months.
The Ministry of Economy also confirmed that Anaklia will operate under the internationally recognised "landlord" port model.
Under this system, the state retains ownership of the port's core infrastructure and land, while private companies operate individual terminals and commercial activities. The model is designed to attract multiple operators rather than relying on a single investor.
Officials believe this approach will provide greater flexibility, encourage competition and enable the port to work with a range of shipping lines, logistics companies and international partners.
The government is also planning new road and rail connections to integrate Anaklia into Georgia's wider transport network.
The port is expected to play a key role in the Middle Corridor, the trade route linking China and Central Asia with Europe via the South Caucasus while bypassing Russia. Strong road and railway connections will be essential if Anaklia is to become a major regional transit hub.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said the first ships are expected to arrive at Anaklia in 2029 and highlighted strong international interest in the project.
"There is a lot of interest in this port, including among our partners, including Central Asian countries, our neighbouring countries, Middle Eastern countries, and also European companies. Accordingly, this port has very great prospects," Kobakhidze said.
He said the government's priority is to complete the first phase of construction as quickly as possible.
"Our task is to complete the first phase of work by 2029 and for the Anaklia Deepwater Port to receive the first ships. We are moving in the right direction. The work has been accelerated as much as possible."
Kobakhidze also said a renegotiated contract had delayed the project but ultimately reduced costs by around USD 50 million, crediting the Ministry of Economy for securing the savings.
"Now the work is continuing smoothly, which allows us to make an optimistic statement that by 2029 this port will receive the first ships and the interests of many countries will be represented in this port," he said.
The revised agreement follows government announcements in April 2026 that reduced the cost of the dredging and breakwater contract by more than a quarter, from about USD 204 million. Although funding allocated to the project in the 2026 state budget was lower than originally planned, officials have maintained that the 2029 completion target remains achievable.
Anaklia will become Georgia's first deepwater port capable of handling large container ships that existing Black Sea ports in the country cannot accommodate.
The first phase is expected to handle around 600,000 containers annually, significantly increasing Georgia's cargo capacity and strengthening its position on trade routes between Asia and Europe.
The project has attracted interest from Central Asian countries seeking alternative export routes, as well as Middle Eastern and European companies looking to expand their presence along the Black Sea.
After years of delays, including the collapse of an earlier development consortium, the arrival of the first dredging vessel represents tangible progress on a project regarded as strategically important for both Georgia and the wider region.
Following completion of the remaining legal procedures, dredging of the breakwater channel will begin in full.
Deepening the seabed to 17.5 metres and constructing the 1,380-metre breakwater will proceed alongside work on the supporting road and rail infrastructure.
If the current timetable is maintained, Anaklia is expected to receive its first ships in 2029, bringing Georgia's long-planned deepwater port into operation on the Black Sea.
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