Port of Anaklia: Georgia's first deep-sea port and the future of the Middle Corridor
The Port of Anaklia is a deep-sea port under construction on Georgia's Black Sea coast that will become the country's first port for large ocean-going ships. Unlike the operating ports of Poti and Batumi, the Port of Anaklia is designed for a 17.5-metre depth and Panamax/Post-Panamax vessels. Using open sources, we break down the specifications, capacity, phases and status of the Anaklia port project — and what it will bring to the Middle Corridor and delivery to Ukraine.
What the Port of Anaklia is
The Port of Anaklia is Georgia's first deep-sea port, being built on the Black Sea coast north of Poti. Its key difference from the existing Georgian ports is depth — enough to receive large container ships that today call at ports in Turkey or Russia instead. Note: as of 2026 the Port of Anaklia is still under construction and not yet in operation.
Specifications and capacity of the Port of Anaklia
Design specifications of the Anaklia deep-sea port (from open sources):
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Under construction, phase 1 — 2029 |
| Depth | ~17.5 m (up to 18 m) |
| Vessel type | Panamax and Post-Panamax |
| Phase 1 capacity | ~600,000 TEU (~7.8 mln tonnes)/year |
| Total phases | 9 |
| Full capacity | up to 100 mln tonnes/year |
| Investment (project) | ~$2.5 bln |
Depth and vessel classes
The key advantage of Anaklia is the planned depth of 17.5–18 metres, giving under-keel clearance for the largest container ships. Today such vessels call at ports in Turkey or Russia; Anaklia would take them directly on the Black Sea:
| Vessel class | Draft | Capacity | DWT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panamax | ~12 m | ~3,000–5,100 TEU | ~35–60k t |
| Post-Panamax | ~13–15 m | ~5,100–10,000 TEU | ~60–110k t |
| Bosphorusmax | ~14.8 m | ~9,000+ TEU | ~100k t |
Bosphorusmax is the practical maximum for the Black Sea due to the Bosphorus strait limits (a representative vessel is the CMA CGM Thames, ~9,365 TEU, ~14.8 m draft). The bigger the ship, the greater the economies of scale: more cargo per call and lower unit costs. For Georgia this is not simply “another port” but a step up in vessel and cargo scale — see the corridor growth.
Construction phases and project status
The project is being built in 9 phases. Phase 1 is designed for about 600,000 TEU a year, with commissioning targeted for 2029. In 2024 the Chinese consortium CCCC / China Harbour took a 49% stake (phase 1 worth ~$600 mln); however, in 2025 Georgia exited the deal with China and moved to a state "landlord" model — developing the port with several partners at once. The project has a long and difficult history, so timelines may shift.
Why Anaklia matters for the Middle Corridor
The Anaklia deep-sea port can receive vessels that cannot enter the shallower Poti and Batumi. This will let Middle Corridor cargo move on larger ships at a lower cost per unit, boosting the competitiveness of the Asia–Caspian–Georgia–Europe route. Central Asian countries are showing interest in the port. See Middle Corridor — explained, The Caspian crossing and Port of Poti.
What it means for an importer in Ukraine
While the Port of Anaklia is under construction, delivery to Ukraine goes through the operating ports of Poti and Batumi. In the longer term, the deep-sea port could cut the cost of the sea leg and add direct calls by large vessels. We track the project and already arrange delivery to Ukraine via the Georgian ports.
Summary
The Port of Anaklia is a strategic deep-sea project that will strengthen the Middle Corridor in the future. While it is being built, we ship via Poti and Batumi — send a request.
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