3 days ago
AD Ports Group unveiled the inaugural phase of Tbilisi Intermodal Hub in Georgia
Infrastructure AD Ports Group unveiled the inaugural phase of Tbilisi Intermodal Hub in Georgia
By
The Tbilisi Dry Port, the initial phase of the Tbilisi Intermodal Hub, will be expanded by early 2026 to include long-term warehousing, container yards, truck parking, and a fourth railway spur
AD Ports Group has unveiled the inaugural phase of Tbilisi Intermodal Hub, Georgia's first modern, bonded container and intermodal terminal. This logistics hub plays a crucial role in the group's emerging Central Asian transport strategy, said a statement.
The rail-linked logistics centre connects the Caspian and Black seas through Georgia, forming a component of the Middle Corridor, the shortest trade route between Asia and Europe. AD Ports Group owns a 60% stake in Tbilisi Intermodal Hub, and the rest is held by Inveco, a local Georgian investment advisory firm, and Wilhelmsen Group.
Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, 'Under the visionary leadership of the UAE Government, we are committed to enhancing international cooperation with strategic global partners who share our vision for mutual benefit and sustainable prosperity. The inauguration of Tbilisi Intermodal Hub exemplifies this commitment by actively developing global trade routes and creating market opportunities for UAE and Georgian businesses.'
Jemal Inaishvili, Founder of Inveco, Georgia added, 'The inauguration of Tbilisi Intermodal Hub is a major step for the development of the logistics sector in Georgia and Central Asia. Leveraging its extensive expertise in port operations and logistics, AD Ports Group is introducing advanced management practices to Georgia's logistics sector. This collaboration not only enhances the operational efficiency of the Tbilisi Intermodal Hub but bolsters economic ties between the UAE and Georgia.'
The Tbilisi Intermodal Hub's initial phase, the Tbilisi Dry Port, is an Inland Container Depot (ICD) that handles container cargo transported by rail and truck. The group and its partners plan to expand the facility by early 2026. This expansion will include long-term warehousing, additional container yards, truck parking, and a fourth railway spur. The goal is to transform the facility into a full-service import-and-export logistics hub for all of Central Asia, a growing region that AD Ports Group positions as a growth corridor, the statement added.
Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group commented, 'The inauguration of the first phase of Tbilisi Intermodal Hub is a significant step in our long-term plan to develop the Middle Corridor into a viable East-West trade corridor through Central Asia, where the volume of goods is expected to triple by 2030, according to The World Bank. Under the wise guidance of our leadership in the UAE, AD Ports Group is dedicated to pioneering the strategic, low-impact trade corridors of a sustainable future. With our investments in Tbilisi and elsewhere along the Middle Corridor, we are strengthening global supply chains through investments that foster economic growth and job creation, by creating efficient trade pathways that cater to the emerging economies of Central Asia.'
As Tbilisi Intermodal Hub expands in its second and third phases, it will process a wide range of cargo, including containerised vehicles and various forms of bulk and break-bulk commodities such as minerals, ores, and fertilisers. These commodities play a crucial role in the supply chains of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, as well as serving as an East-West crossroads for goods between China and Europe.
Tbilisi Intermodal Hub's soft launch commenced when it received its inaugural shipment of 30 containers, each carrying over 26t of cargo. These containers were delivered via rail link from an MSC ship docked at Georgia's Black Sea Port of Batumi. Tbilisi Intermodal Hub, an inland extension of Batumi and the Port of Poti, Georgia's key seaports, will play an important role as a logistics staging hub, accelerating trade flows across the Caucasus region and Central Asia. The facility has received both customs zone authorisation and Georgia's first railway infrastructure operation and safety certification from the state Rail Transport Agency.
The inauguration of the Georgian intermodal logistics hub marks a significant milestone in the Group's strategy to transform the Middle Corridor into a viable and modern high-volume trade corridor connecting China and Europe through Central Asia. This corridor will be facilitated by the Group's ports and maritime assets in Türkiye and Pakistan. Stretching over 7,000km, the Middle Corridor is anticipated to handle up to 1.9m TEUs of container cargo annually by 2040. This surge in cargo volume is driven by manufacturers' growing preference for shorter seaborne routes to avoid longer transit times.
Tbilisi Intermodal Hub will initially handle up to 96,000 TEUs annually. The facility enables flexible cargo flows from Central Asia and the Far East via multiple transport modes railcars, shipper-owned containers, and trucks – with cross-docking to ocean carriers for global distribution, and vice versa. By early 2026, the second phase of construction will more than double the annual handling capacity of Tbilisi Intermodal Hub to up to 200,000 TEUs.
Connected to Georgia's national rail network, the hub offers direct access to the country's international highways, thus bypassing city congestion. The inauguration of this facility marks a significant milestone for AD Ports Group, aligning with its mission to enhance global trade routes and logistics capabilities. Tbilisi Intermodal Hub not only strengthens economic ties between the UAE and Georgia but also positions both nations as key players in the Middle Corridor.
