What Major Product Characteristics of Dry Bulk Cargo Terminal Create Competitive Positioning of Georgian Port industry, the Case Study of Poti and Batumi Ports

Abstract

This study aims to identify factors which give the Georgian port industry (particularly, Poti and Batumi ports) a competitive advantage
in comparison with such competitive ports as Novorossiysk, Odessa, Bandar Abbas and the Russian railway system that acts as the
main rival for the Georgian transportation transit route. The product and value comparison study is based on a multi-level approach
which allows transferring and using the quantitative and qualitative information gained during the project work for a numerical
calculation/projection model. Research identified key bottlenecks of Georgian Ports and its functional benefits within the core and
physical port infrastructure. Recommended directions in the value creation process is given.
Keywords: competitive advantage, differentiation, Georgian port industry, product structure, value creation
JEL: L9