Belgian maritime contractor Jan De Nul will play a pivotal role in developing the “Middle Corridor” by expanding existing ports and building new ones.
Jan De Nul will assist in the construction of a new deepwater port in Anaklia, Georgia. It will also expand the port at Kuryk in Kazakhstan. Both will provide a significant boost to the Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian international transport route.
This trade route acts as an alternative to the northern route through Russia, or the southern route via the Suez Canal. Jan De Nul is responsible for the capital dredging work at Kuryk Port and building a breakwater, access channels and turning points in Georgia. Anaklia’s deepwater port will increase cargo capacity by 600,000 containers.
“These projects will have a big economic impact on the region. The Georgia and Kazakhstan governments made firm decisions,” said Stefan Muntoiu, business development manager at Jan De Nul.
There have been supply chain issues in the region due to geopolitical developments, causing obstacles for insurance, limited operating capacity and long delays. With the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and sanctions on both Iran and Afghanistan, there are now long delays as routes are being taken to avoid passing through these countries.
