Ivane Abashidze

Ivane Abashidze is the Director of the Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia, with over 15 years of experience in maritime law, administration, international relations, and transport policy. As Co-founder and Organizer of the Georgia International Maritime Forum (GIMF), he has contributed to strengthening international dialogue, cooperation, and knowledge exchange among maritime stakeholders. Mr. Abashidze has represented Georgia at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), where he has played an active role in advancing international maritime governance. From 2021 to 2024, he served as Vice-Chair of the IMO Legal Committee, and in 2023, he chaired the IMO Working Group on Liability and Compensation, contributing to international discussions on key legal and regulatory issues affecting the maritime sector. Prior to his appointment as Director, Mr. Abashidze served as Deputy Director of the Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia and held senior positions within the Agency’s Legal and International Relations Department. He also served as Deputy General Director of Columbia Shipmanagement Georgia LLC, gaining experience across both public administration and the private maritime sector. Mr. Abashidze holds an LL.M. in International Maritime Law from the International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI), Malta. He is currently a PhD Candidate at the Institute of International Law, Faculty of Law, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, and serves as a lecturer in International Maritime Law and Shipping Law at Batumi State Maritime Academy.