ArmInfo. The ferry service has been operating for several months, but, according to our assessment, it has not generated sufficient interest among exporters and importers. Armenian Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan announced during a press conference.
He did not rule out that the program to subsidize the maritime cargo transportation sector would be terminated. "We did not see that companies involved in export and import used the ferry service in such a way that we convinced our partners to continue the implementation of this program," the minister noted.
In May 2023 it was announced the launch of sea freight transportation from Batumi to Novorossiysk, which was intended to become an alternative to the Upper Lars checkpoint. Such a decision was made after the initiative to launch a ferry service from the Georgian port of Poti to the Russian port of Caucasus failed due to Western sanctions. It was planned to carry out one shipment per week; in the future, depending on demand, the number of shipments could be increased. The state intended to subsidize the maritime cargo transportation sector. Let us recall that back in the spring of 2021, RA Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan announced the launch of regular ferry service from June 15 from the Georgian port of Poti to the Russian port of Caucasus. The ferry operator was the APM Terminals Poti shipping company, which imposed sanctions on the Russian Federation in connection with the Ukrainian-Russian conflict. As a result, transportation along the planned route came under restrictions. It was planned that the ferry service would connect the railway traffic of Armenia with the railway system of the EAEU. The state intends to subsidize the ferry service, at the same time the South Caucasus Railway (SCR) promised to reduce tariffs (by 30%) in the direction of Russia with a link with the Eurasian railway system. Tariffs were also announced to be reduced by the Russian (50%) and Georgian (25%) railways.
