ICTSI unit takes over Georgia Black Sea Batumi CT

BATUMI Sea Port (BSP) has handed over the operation and management of the Batumi Container Terminal in Georgia to a subsidiary of Manila-based International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI), Batumi International Container Terminal (BICT).

This development follows the September 2007 signing of a lease agreement to operate and manage the Batumi Container Terminal for 48 years. The facility is the first major investment of ICTSI on the Black Sea.

The facility also includes a rail ferry terminal, and a 181-metre general cargo berth, Berth 6. This caters to ships loading scrap metal from Georgia and neighbouring countries, an ICTSI statement said.

BICT said in the release it is now drawing up plans to refurbish two cranes at Berth 6. BICT is also looking into the possibility of handling ro-ro vessels and well as containerships using mobile harbour cranes. Furthermore, BSP and BICT have outlined the preliminary activities required to strengthen the Berths 4 and 5 quay walls.