Maritime Transport Cluster Development in Georgia

Abstract

The geopolitical location in Georgia creates opportunities for maritime cluster development. The functioning of the international transport corridor depends on the ports and maritime transport. The country’s strategic location on the ‘One Belt One Road’ (OBOR) route, positioned along the shortest route between China and Europe. The development of maritime cluster gives Georgia the function of international importanceand provides more opportunities for sustainable development. The purpose of this paper relates to the possibilities of establishing maritime clusters in Georgia. Creating a cluster provides new opportunities for innovative handling of technological operations in port logistics. Creation of a maritime cluster on the basis of the Port of Batumi and the port of Poti, should increase the competitiveness of both the ports and other companies – as a cluster member. There are advantages of creating marine clusters in Georgia, such as it's: geopolitical location, attractive investment environment, regulated transportation infrastructure, vast seaport. The need to find solutions to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthening Georgia’s transit function and transformation of the country’s ports into a maritime transport cluster will improve the competitiveness of the Georgian economy after the pandemic.