Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi Port Signs Memorandum with Batumi
The Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi seaport in Odesa region is strengthening its international role by signing a cooperation memorandum with Batumi International Container Terminals LLC (Georgia). The agreement paves the way for a new ferry route between Ukraine and Georgia, positioning the port as a strategic hub on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor.
According to Oksana Kyktenko, CEO of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi Port, this is already the second cooperation agreement between the two sides, aimed at integrating Ukrainian logistics into the fast-growing Eurasian transport chain.
“The purpose of the memorandum is to attract cargo traffic through the Middle Corridor by expanding cargo handling capabilities. The Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi port plans to become the largest TITR hub on the European side of the route,” — Kyktenko noted.
What the New Route Provides
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Direct ferry link between Ukraine and Georgia → strengthening trade connectivity across the Black Sea.
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Integration with the Middle Corridor → an alternative to routes through Russia and the Suez Canal.
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Construction of a road-rail complex → designed for efficient cargo handling and multimodal logistics.
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Expansion of cargo flows → expected growth in exports of Ukrainian agricultural products, metals, and containerized goods.
Batumi International Container Terminals, a key operator in Georgia, manages container, ferry, and general cargo terminals at Batumi seaport — giving the partnership immediate access to wider international routes.
Why the Middle Corridor Matters
The Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian International Transport Route) is one of the fastest-developing Eurasian trade routes. It connects China and Europe through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey, bypassing both Russia and the Suez Canal.
For Ukraine, integration into the Middle Corridor is more than logistics:
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It diversifies export channels in wartime conditions.
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It creates new investment opportunities in ports, terminals, and logistics hubs.
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It strengthens Ukraine’s role as a European trade gateway.
Investment and Strategic Potential
With the launch of the new ferry line, Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi can attract multimillion-dollar investments into port infrastructure, warehousing, cold storage, and road-rail complexes.
For foreign investors, this project represents:
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Entry into a growing logistics corridor with global demand.
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Access to agri-export flows from Ukraine (grain, oilseeds, processed foods).
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Partnership opportunities with Batumi terminals and Georgian logistics firms.
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Participation in EU-Ukraine trade integration projects.
✅ Key Takeaway: The ferry link between Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi and Batumi transforms Ukraine’s Odesa region into a vital Middle Corridor hub, opening up new channels for trade, logistics, and international investment in transport infrastructure.
