THE DEVELOPMENT OF MARITIME TRANSPORT IN BATUMI AT THE END OF THE 19TH CENTURY

Otar Gogolishvili E-mail: [email protected] Professor, Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University Batumi, Georgia Paata Aroshidze E-mail: [email protected] Associate Professor, Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University Batumi, Georgia Abstract: The close proximity to the Black Sea is a significant geostrategic advantage. The Batumi seaport is located near a harbour bay, which was formed relatively late. In earlier times, much of Batumi’s surrounding area—essentially a significant portion of the city—was covered by the sea. From the 1860s onwards, maritime trade became increasingly active in Batumi. However, the port was not adequately developed. In 1879, a commission was established to draft a project aimed at improving the port’s functionality. By 1885, planned construction and improvements had begun. Since Batumi's main commercial activity at the time was the newly emerging transit of petroleum products, particular attention was given to the docking areas where ships were loaded with oil products. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, continuous renovations and new construction projects were undertaken at the port. The increasing export of manganese from Georgia necessitated the loading of manganese ore onto ships docked at various locations within Batumi’s port. As a result, an additional boat harbour was constructed. Tsarist Russia was highly interested in the development of Batumi’s port. The Russian consul in Trabzon reported to his government that, given Batumi’s strategic significance, it would be highly beneficial for Russia to acquire the city, whether through exchange, purchase, or other means. He emphasized that such an acquisition would hold immense value for Russia both in terms of trade and broader economic considerations. By 1898, the total value of goods imported through Batumi’s port had reached 5 million Rubles, while exports exceeded 24 million Rubles, with the majority consisting of petroleum products. In addition to oil products, 200,000 Rubles’ worth of manganese, an equal value of corn grain, timber, and various local products were also exported abroad. The Adjara region had a long-standing tradition of coastal shipping, dating back to ancient times. Additionally, the city served as a crucial transit hub, facilitating the import and export of various goods, including foodstuffs, construction materials, manufactured goods, and machinery. Beyond the transit of goods from the South Caucasus and Persia, Batumi played a role in strengthening connections between the East and the West. The final two decades of the 19th century marked a significant period in the development of maritime transport in Batumi and its port. Keywords: Batumi Port, Maritime Transport, Black Sea, Petroleum Products, Transit Route, Economic Development. JEL B15