The Anaklia deep-sea port project is one of the important projects planned to be implemented in Georgia. Thus, this project, which is as important as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan project, aims to increase Georgia's cargo transportation potential and connect the East with the West. Since Black Sea ports such as Poti and Batumi cannot compete with Turkish and Russian ports, the future potential of Anaklia has become the center of attention. The purpose of the study is to highlight the difficulties this project has faced since its inception, the political events surrounding the project, and also to show its importance for the region in political and economic terms. Studies show that the change of government in Georgia, and economic and political problems have led to certain interruptions in the implementation of the project. The study, conducted using the descriptive research method, analyzed information from Georgian press agencies on the subject.

Keywords: Anaklia, South Caucasus, Georgia, deep-sea port, project.

Introduction

Infrastructure initiatives in the Caucasus region, particularly those connected to strategic transport and logistics, have received a lot of interest from both the region and around the world. Among these, the Anaklia Deep Sea Port project stands out as a critical initiative aimed at boosting Georgia's geopolitical position and transforming the country into a major transit route between Europe and Asia. However, major political difficulties, decision-making ambiguities, and external pressures have hampered the project's progress. The fundamental goal of this research is to assess the Anaklia project's strategic importance and to comprehensively investigate the political, economic, and diplomatic challenges it has faced. The research is guided by the following central question: What are the primary political, economic, and international factors contributing to delays and uncertainty in the Anaklia Port project? Based on this question, the study presents several significant hypotheses: 1.Georgia's political polarization and government-opposition dynamics have had a negative impact on the project. 2. China and the West's geopolitical rivalry have played a significant role in shaping the project's trajectory. 3. Despite public support, shifting governmental priorities have led to repeated postponements in implementation. This study employs a qualitative methodology centered on content analysis. It draws on reports and analytical articles from leading Georgian media, official statements by governmental and non-governmental actors, and international commentary on the initiative. This methodology allows for a thorough understanding of both domestic political processes and the larger international context in which the Anaklia initiative has developed. The paper is structured as follows: The first section provides a chronological overview of the Anaklia project and its significant advancements. The second segment looks at the previous Lazika effort and the reasons for its failure in comparison to Anaklia. Subsequent sections explore the political dynamics of the project, incorporating both official narratives and public sentiment. The next sections address the project's strategic importance, international controversies, and the ramifications of a Chinese company's recent engagement in the project. The study concludes by summarizing key findings and offering a forward-looking assessment of the project`s trajectory.

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