Impact of COVID19 on Ports and Maritime Transport (Georgian Ports Response to COVID19)

ABSTRACT

The importance of maritime transport and ports to international trade and the world economy is invaluable. It is maritime transport and seaports that ensure the integrity of the supply chain, which ensures the success of world trade and economic activities. The importance of maritime transport is confirmed by the fact that 80% of the transported goods come from maritime transport. Consequently, maintaining a sustainable supply chain is a guarantee of sustainable development in the world. However, the new coronavirus (COVID19) changed the world and affected the civilized world, causing a crisis and having a very large impact on maritime transport and trade. The impact of the pandemic on maritime transport has challenged various industries whose operation and production depended on the production of raw materials, the processing of semi-finished products and more. Restrictions introduced to prevent the spread of the pandemic have led to the closure of ports, reduced working hours and manpower in ports, and freight-forwarding opportunities. Countries also avoided the spread of COVID-19, and therefore refrained from importing and exporting products and goods during the quarantine period, which led to a decrease in import-export, which in turn reduced demand for cargo. In some cases, due to the imposed restrictions, the transportation time was increased and it became impossible to transport goods with a specific nature. It was these restrictions that led to the slowdown in trade flows and supply chain operations. It was difficult to navigate and trade in different regions. Despite so many difficulties, restrictions, and the impact of the pandemic, maritime transport and seaports continued to operate to ensure the delivery of personalized goods to countries, such as food, energy, raw materials, medicines and medical supplies. We think that this topic is very important, it needs to be well researched and analyzed, because if we understand what impact the pandemic has had on maritime transport and ports, we will be able to quickly and easily lay out ways to respond to challenges and get the industry back to normal. The spread of the coronavirus has once again confirmed that the backbone of international trade is precisely maritime transport. Georgian ports are a good example of this. This article discusses the impact of the new pandemic on maritime transport and ports, as well as the impacts identified and solutions found. The article analyzes for example the cargo turnover of Georgian ports during the pandemic. Based on the discussion and analysis of each of the above issues, conclusions are drawn. © 2021 21st Annual General Assembly, IAMU AGA 2021 - Proceedings of the International Association of Maritime Universities ,IAMU Conference. All rights reserved.