The study was triggered by the rapid increase of container throughput which will exceed port capacity by 2017.   In 2013, total container throughput in Georgia was 405,000 TEU of which Poti handled 82%.  The present capacity of Poti seaport is 600,000 TEU.

“Larger vessels are entering the trades, reshaping markets and challenging port infrastructure.  We believe the ability to attract larger vessels to our port through a deeper water depth and easier entrance channel will lower transportation costs for importers and exporters while improving the flexibility of Georgia and Central Asia supply chains. As the operator of Georgia’s largest and most important port, we want to ensure our future infrastructure plans reflect the best engineering and economic scenarios for the market”, commented Steen Davidsen, Managing Director, APM Terminals Poti.

Georgia’s geographic location connects several high growth economic regions, offering shippers a competitive location advantage as a transit hub strategically located between Europe and Central Asia.  Of importance, Georgia is the shortest transit link for the transportation of raw materials, goods, gas and oil from Azerbaijan and Central Asia to the West. And, serves as a north-south transportation crossroads between Russia and Turkey, and via Armenia, to Iran. Average growth figures the last five years are 15-20% per year, far higher than GDP rates, reflecting Georgia and hinterland markets increasing containerization trend.

“Poti has an ideal port location and we look forward to working with the Georgian government to ensure the country’s flagship port is constantly improving the economy and attracting future investment. As a global port operator, we have the expertise to execute port upgrades quickly to launch a new era of Georgian port infrastructure suited to the future generation of ships,” added Mr. Davidsen.  

In phase 1, which can be completed by 2017, the new port will comprise two deepwater berths able to handle vessels in excess of 9,000 TEU with modern ship to shore cranes and a capacity of 1 million TEU.

As all Damen cutter suction dredgers are dismountable, their transport is straightforward. The various elements such as the pontoons and control cabin were hoisted from the transport ship onto trucks. These trucks were unloaded on a Nigerian beach for dredger assembly on the spot. The crew together with a Damen field service engineer assembled the cutter suction dredger using hoisting gear available locally. With the main pontoon placed on a wooden ramp, once assembled the dredger was pushed into the sea by 2 bull dozers assisted by a tug pulling the other end. The dredge design allows for this type of launching to make sure it can be deployed anywhere. The CSD500 will perform maintenance duties at a dredging depth of -16 m in the wider Port Harcourt area. The dredge pump has a mixture capacity of 4.000 m3/h and with its respectable swing width of 40 m its performance is impressive. The dredge project was started immediately as the Damen delivery included floating pipe line, land based pipe line, a complete spares package and 2 weeks of crew training by Damen field service engineers. Another Damen cutter suction dredger at work in Nigeria to keep the waterways navigable!

Against a backdrop of increased and varied demand, Trelleborg’s research found that there is a more optimistic outlook on investment across the industry. This represents an opportunity for port owners, operators, contractors and consultants alike to begin to navigate towards a more strategic, whole life approach to the design and construction of port infrastructure. Richard Hepworth, President of Trelleborg Marine Systems, says: “The PIANC World Congress is only held every four years and representsa landmark event on the maritime calendar. With such awide range of stakeholders from across the industry attending, we decided to earmark the event for the launch our latest Barometer Reports, which highlight a broad spectrum of issues pertinent to the industry. “Celebrating the launch of the report, we’ll also be taking the opportunity to host a roundtable at the event whichis sure to stimulate debate. One of the key findings from this year’s report was that the outlook on investment is much more optimistic than in previous years. In fact, the vast majority of respondents expect both capital and operational expenditure to grow over the next twelve months. With optimism returning, the roundtable will delve in more depth in to what this will mean in practice for ports, as they make up lost ground caused by the economic downturn.” The two reports discuss how well ports are performing, by looking at factors such as through put, revenue and downtime. The reports also detail the issues helping or hindering port performance, such as investment, maintenance and downtime. On stand, Trelleborg will showcase its brand new Port Performance Tool that allows port owners, operators, engineering consultants and contractors to discover how well their port’s performance measures up against the industry average. Upon completion, the exciting new tool provides a personalized infographic of their port performance against the industry average. Additionally, Trelleborg’s technical expert, Mishra Kumar will take to the stage at the event to discuss the importance of applying the right Velocity Factor (VF) and Temperature Factor (TF) when specifying marine fenders. If you’re a port owner, operator, contractor or engineering consultant attending the PIANC World Congress and would like to have your say on the issues affecting the industry, register your interest in the Port Performance Roundtable now http://trelleborg.tecs1.com/portperformanceroundtable?utm_source=pr&utm_campaign=portperformanceroundtable&utm_medium=pressrelease Trelleborg Marine Systems is the Platinum AGA sponsor and exhibitor at the 33rd PIANC World Congress 2014, in San Francisco, California, U.S. The PIANC World Congress 2014 takes place on 1 to 5 June 2014 at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis. Visit Trelleborg on stands 400 and 402.

TGO offers multiple services and demanded a versatile machine. Consequently, a mobile harbour crane was the best solution for the terminal as it can be used for safe general cargo operation and efficient scrap, bulk or container handling – just by an easy exchange of the lifting attachment. “The LHM 550 helps us to develop our heavy-lift cargo handling and scrap metal business, especially in terms of loading heavier parts and larger vessels. The crane offers a lifting capacity up to 144 tonnes, which is unique in this region,” says Ilyasse Aksil, CEO of TGO. Manufactured and pre-tested at Liebherr’s production site in Rostock, the mobile harbour crane arrived in January 2014. The LHM 550 has demonstrated its capabilities right from the start. The first jobs included some impressive lifts, loading a sterilization chamber onto a vessel. Destined for Vera Cruz in Mexico, the chamber came in four pieces, each weighing 91 tonnes. Thanks to the remarkable lifting capacity of the new crane, these parts were loaded directly to the vessel, saving costs and emissions. “We are optimistic that this investment in advanced port equipment will also attract new customers, since we have expanded our service portfolio while maintaining the high quality standards TGO stands for,” adds Ilyasse Aksil. Although the LHM 550 is the first for TGO, Liebherr has delivered to Montoir de Bretagne in France before. In 2012, Liebherr Maritime Cranes delivered its 1000th mobile harbour crane to the Atlantic coast. The LPS 550 was ordered by Montoir Bulk Terminal and is configured for highly efficient bulk handling.