Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia Refutes Reports of Regular Sea Transportation Between Batumi and Novorossiysk
By Liza Mchedlidze
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
The Maritime Transport Agency has issued a statement regarding the shipments between the ports of Batumi in Georgia and Novorossiysk in Russia, denouncing the information circulated by Armenian media as 'false' and 'misinterpreted'. The agency explicitly stated that the claims made by certain Armenian media outlets, alleging the commencement of regular sea transportation between Batumi and Novorossiysk since April of this year, are unfounded and not in accordance with the facts.
According to the agency, in April, the Palau-flagged vessel Haci Musa Ucak (IMO 9128544) did indeed undertake two commercial voyages between Novorossiysk and Batumi. However, it is important to highlight that these were not regular flights but rather commercial operations conducted systematically for commercial purposes.
The Maritime Transport Agency has stated that the company owning the ship, which is not subject to sanctions, intends to continue operating commercial routes. Additionally, it has been clarified that the cargo being transported is solely in transit and intended for the Republic of Armenia.
"Regarding the report concerning a specific shipment, the Palau-flagged vessel Haci Musa Ucak (IMO 9128544) did indeed complete two commercial routes between Novorossiysk and Batumi in April. However, it is important to emphasize that these were not regular routes but rather purely commercial operations conducted on a systematic basis. The company owning the mentioned vessel, which is not subject to sanctions, intends to continue its commercial operations. Furthermore, the cargo transported is solely in transit and intended for the Republic of Armenia.
The Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia, in collaboration with the Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance, consistently monitors both vessels and shipowners in compliance with international sanctions. Consequently, if a vessel or its owner is listed under sanctions, they are prohibited from entering Georgian ports and undertaking relevant procedures," the statement reads.
Lasha Khutsishvili, the Minister of Finance of Georgia, has also refuted the claim that regular sea traffic between Batumi and the Russian city of Novorossiysk has commenced, stating that the information is inaccurate.
After the government session, Khutsishvili told journalists that the information provided by the Maritime Agency accurately reflects the reality of the situation.
