Tbilisi Dry Port to invest up to $55 million in Middle Corridor expansion
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Tbilisi Dry Port launched the second phase of its development with investment of up to $55 million, its supervisory board chairman Jemal Inaishvili announced. The expansion includes 50,000 square meters of Class A warehouses and a potential fleet of railway platforms, aiming to raise container capacity to 200,000 TEU annually. The project proceeds as the company works with Georgian Railway to resolve logistical bottlenecks exposed in the first year of operations.
The Expansion Plan
The second phase involves building 50,000 square meters of Class A warehouses with an estimated investment of $50–55 million, board chairman Jemal Inaishvili said. If the company proceeds with acquiring its own railway platforms, the total investment could rise. Upon completion, the terminal’s annual throughput will reach 200,000 TEU, reinforcing its role in the Middle Corridor. The first phase, costing $20 million, opened in June 2025 following a one-month test run. In 2024, UAE’s AD Ports Group acquired a 60% stake, becoming Tbilisi Dry Port’s strategic partner.
Operational Bottlenecks
The first year of operations confirmed the terminal’s viability but also exposed logistical constraints that must be addressed. Tbilisi Dry Port is collaborating closely with Georgian Railway to improve container transport efficiency between the Black Sea port of Poti and Tbilisi. The partners are working to establish reliable block-train deliveries to overcome current hurdles. Inaishvili emphasized that the project’s success largely depends on the railway’s effective operation.
Middle Corridor Significance
Georgia’s expanding dry port serves as a critical node in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, often called the Middle Corridor. For landlocked Kazakhstan, this route provides a vital alternative for diversifying exports away from traditional northern paths. Earlier reports highlighted the role of Georgia’s Batumi oil terminal and seaport in supporting Kazakhstan’s export diversification. The Tbilisi Dry Port expansion further cements Georgia’s position as a regional logistics hub.
What's Next
The company has not disclosed a timeline for completing the second phase, which may hinge on resolving railway bottlenecks and decisions on platform acquisition. It remains uncertain how quickly Georgia’s railway upgrades can match the port’s growing capacity needs.
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Tbilisi Dry Port to invest up to $55 million in Middle Corridor expansion
