Following China’s withdrawal from the Anaklia Deep Sea Port project, Georgia announced it will proceed with the development under a state-controlled “landlord” framework. The government intends to retain ownership of the core infrastructure while partnering selectively with multiple international investors, diverging from the earlier plan involving a sole Chinese consortium partner.
The Anaklia port, envisioned as a vital logistics hub connecting Asia and Europe along the Middle Corridor, had been entangled in geopolitical shifts since its inception. Initiated in 2016 by Georgian and US companies, the project stalled after the Georgian government canceled a major contract in 2020. A strategic pivot saw a Chinese consortium, including the state-owned China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) and its Singapore subsidiary, acquire a significant stake in 2024. However, by late 2025, the consortium signaled its disengagement, which the Georgian government formally confirmed this July.
This change reflects Georgia’s revised approach to operating the port, emphasizing state ownership while attracting a diverse mix of international partners to enhance competitiveness and cargo throughput. The “landlord” model allows the government to maintain control over port infrastructure, framing Anaklia as a project of both regional and international strategic importance. Georgian officials highlight the port’s role in strengthening the Middle Corridor trade route that bypasses Russia, thereby expanding Georgia’s economic and geopolitical standing.
The government aims to complete construction by 2029, although no major investors or terminal operators have yet been confirmed. This move marks a significant shift from relying on a single foreign partner to fostering broader collaboration, which officials argue will maximize operational efficiency and safeguard national interests.