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The Container Terminal in Ochamchire

2025 / 01 / 26

In 2024, a significant infrastructure project commenced in the area surrounding the Ochamchire port. According to Oktay Khazirish, advisor to the de facto Minister of Economy, the construction of a container terminal at Ochamchire is nearing completion.

The intermodal container terminal is being built near the Ochamchire port to enhance the international transport corridor. Construction is being carried out through a preferential loan, and is supported by Russia. Oktay Khazirish, Deputy General Director of construction company Transecosystem, also serves as the advisor to the de facto Minister of Economy and has previous experience with Abkhazian Railway.

Khazirish emphasized that the goal is to streamline the delivery of goods from Russia to third countries, for both imports and exports. He believes that the Ochamchire port will emerge as a crucial link in international transport networks, given the significant interest shown by container shipping companies.

Khazirish stated that the first shipment of 46 railcars has already been received from Russia, and foreign orders are being processed. He noted his belief that the Ochamchire port has several advantages over Russian ports, among which is the fact that it experiences fewer stormy days compared to Russia's Novorossiysk, and transportation to Turkish ports is more cost-effective. Notably, Khazirish also mentioned that in July, eight containers loaded with factory equipment were received, initially meant for shipment from Turkey to Russia (according to information available in open sources, it is unknown whether the cargo was ultimately sent).

The terminal is 250 meters long and 500 meters wide, with a railway connection and platforms for unloading cargo from railcars. It will be capable of handling 1,200 containers at a time. A Chinese-made self-propelled crane (Zoomlion), capable of lifting up to 450 tons, has been purchased as part of the project to facilitate container loading onto ships.

The construction of the terminal, coupled with rising revenues for Abkhazian Railway in recent years (RUB 490 million in 2023, compared to RUB 250 million in 2022, RUB 175 million in 2021, and RUB 68 million in 2020), indicates that the Ochamchire port is playing an increasingly important role in cargo transportation, especially between Russia and Turkey. Despite Turkey's official recognition of Georgia's territorial integrity, ships from a number of Turkish companies are involved in cargo transport and fishing activities within the waters of occupied Abkhazia. Meanwhile, Russia, facing Western sanctions, is using Abkhazian infrastructure to facilitate illegal trade and circumvent these sanctions.

 

Excerpt from Rondeli Foundation publication.

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