AD Ports Group Advances Tbilisi Dry Port Development, Strengthening UAE-Georgia Economic Ties

TBILISI: A senior delegation from AD Ports Group, led by Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, was hosted today by Levan Davitashvili, First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, in Tbilisi. The meeting focused on the progress of the Tbilisi Dry Port, a new custom-bonded and rail-connected intermodal logistics hub set to begin operations in January 2025. According to Emirates News Agency, the delegation presented updates on the development of the Tbilisi Dry Port, poised to enhance connectivity between Western Asia and Eastern Europe through the Middle Trade Corridor. This corridor leverages a network of sea and dry ports across Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, and Trkiye, linking manufacturing centers and consumer markets across the regions. The Tbilisi Dry Port, which will be operated by AD Ports Group's Logistics Cluster, represents a significant investment by the UAE, with the Group acquiring a majority 60 percent stake in the facility. This strat egic initiative is expected to strengthen bilateral trade and economic relations between the UAE and Georgia, underpinned by the UAE-Georgia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). This agreement, which came into effect in June 2024, is projected to more than triple the total value of non-oil trade between the two nations to US$1.5 billion within five years. Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, detailed the strategic importance of the Tbilisi Dry Port within the Middle Trade Corridor. He noted the port's strategic location between the Caspian and Black Seas and its integration of multiple facilities, including a container freight station, warehouses, and a car storage park. The port is directly linked via westward railway to Trkiye and Georgian ports of Poti and Batumi, as well as the Port of Baku in Azerbaijan, enhancing its role as a critical transit point for regional distribution. The development of the Tbilisi Dry Port is scheduled in three ph ases, with the initial phase expected to achieve a handling capacity of 96,500 TEUs and include 10,000 sqm of warehouse space and a car storage yard. Upon completion of the third phase, the facility's capacity will expand to 286,000 TEU, with 100,000 sqm of warehouse space and an enlarged car storage yard. This project not only supports the UAE's position as a global trade and logistics hub but also contributes significantly to Georgia's economic development, fostering growth and prosperity in both nations.