BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 15. AD Ports Group has officially completed its acquisition of the Tbilisi Dry Port, securing a 60-percent majority stake, Trend reports.
According to the company, this strategic move enhances the Group's influence in the Middle Corridor, which connects Asia to Europe.
The Tbilisi Dry Port, an intermodal logistics hub in Georgia, is set to begin operations in October 2024. This acquisition is a significant step in AD Ports Group’s efforts to bolster its role in the Middle Corridor, which efficiently links manufacturing centers in Western Asia with consumer markets in Eastern Europe through a network of sea and dry ports across Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, and Türkiye.
Abdulaziz Zayed AlShamsi, Regional CEO of AD Ports Group, expressed the company’s satisfaction with the acquisition, stating, “The completion of the Tbilisi Dry Port acquisition underscores our commitment to strengthening global supply chains. We recognize the growing importance of the Middle Corridor in global trade and are fully dedicated to the successful operation of this critical logistics hub. This investment enhances connectivity between Western Asia and Eastern Europe, positioning AD Ports Group at the forefront of global trade. It aligns with our leadership’s vision of advancing economic growth, job creation, and mutual benefit.”
Strategically located between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea, the new logistics hub is at the heart of the Middle Corridor. It integrates facilities such as a container freight station, warehouses, and a car storage park, serving as a key entry and exit point for regional transit. The hub will cater to manufacturers, shippers, and consignees, facilitating the movement, distribution, and storage of containers, vehicles, and various goods. The project includes direct rail links to Türkiye and Georgian ports of Poti and Batumi, further connecting to European Black Sea ports in Bulgaria and Romania.
The project will be developed in three phases, with the initial phase expected to provide a handling capacity of 96,500 TEUs, 10,000 sqm of warehouse space, and a car storage yard. Upon completion of the third phase, the hub’s capacity will expand to 286,000 TEUs, 100,000 sqm of warehouse space, and a significantly larger car storage yard. Additional land has been secured for future expansion as needed.
The Middle Corridor is recognized as the shortest trade route between Asia and Europe, spanning approximately 7,000 km and requiring 10 to 15 days of travel. In comparison, the Northern Corridor covers around 10,000 km overland with a journey of 15 to 20 days, while the Southern Ocean Route extends over 20,000 km, taking 45 to 60 days by sea. The Middle Corridor is projected to handle significant growth in container volumes, potentially reaching 1.9 million TEUs by 2040.