Container freight transport on the territory of Georgia paralyzed

PanARMENIAN.Net - Container freight traffic on the Georgian territory, more than half of which are transited to Armenia, Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries , virtually paralyzed, Georgy Tsipuria, the chairman of the Association of Carriers of Georgia said.



According to him, the situation was caused by the new regulation of Georgian Revenue Service of finance ministry entered into force on July 22, under which 40-foot large-sized containers, having more than 4 meter height after loading on trailers are prohibited to transport without guards.



The cost of tracking such a container, for example, from Poti to Tbilisi is 1 lari ($ 600), while transportation cost is about $ 900, he said. "Meanwhile, about 60 per cent of all container traffic in Georgia through Poti and Batumi ports, as well as through land borders with neighboring countries, is implemented by 40-foot containers," G. Tsipuria said, adding that most of freight forwarders, such as Maersk and Barwil appealed the new rules.



Tsipuriya did not rule out that the freight forwarding companies can find alternative ways to transport their containers. "In particular, through Iran, despite the fact that the road through Georgia is much shorter. This may have a negative impact on the transit function of Georgia and the country's competitiveness," he said, Interfax reports.