Liberian Ship Caught Illegally Dumping at Poti Sea Port

Early this morning the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia reported that their Environmental Supervision Department caught a vessel sailing under the Liberian flag illegally dumping farm-fecal waste into the Poti Sea Port. The ship was detained by staff from the Black Sea Protection Convention Inspectorate under the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture together with representatives of the Border Police. The ship is being held on charges of polluting the Georgian territorial waters of the Black Sea off of Poti. The ship’s captain has been fined GEL 65,000 for environmental pollution. Once the fine is paid, the vessel will be allowed to sail unrestricted.

Poti Sea Port is the largest port in Georgia and handle liquid and dry bulk, ferries as well as containers. It has 15 berths and more than 20 quay cranes. The port currently serves as the European gateway for international trade in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and is ideally located to become a future hub for Central Asia trade.

APM Terminals purchased Poti Sea Port in April 2011. Since assuming operations, APM Terminals has invested over USD 65 million upgrading the outdated port infrastructure and service facilities, including the construction of a new Customs Center, as well as new rail and truck facilities. The company continues investing in upgrading and expanding the port facilities to meet APM Terminals’ international performance levels in productivity and safety.

By Samantha Guthrie

Photo: Port Technology International

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