On December 14, 2018, a group of citizens held a protest near the Batumi Sea Port against the construction of a new terminal, which, according to the protesters, would be used for the transfer of chemical substances.

The participants called it a “warning protest” — they arrived wearing masks and yellow vests, urging the government to listen to their concerns.

The terminal was a joint project between the Batumi Sea Port, Wondernet Express, the Government of Georgia, and Georgian Railway. It was intended for the transit, storage, and reloading of mineral fertilizers from Central Asia.

Protesters feared environmental and health risks, claiming the project posed a “chemical threat” to Batumi. The campaign “Chemical Attack on Batumi” spread online, while the authorities insisted the project met all environmental standards and that only urea fertilizer — an organic, non-toxic substance — would be handled.

Despite the protests, the Batumi City Hall granted a construction permit in March 2019, and the terminal officially opened on June 11, 2021.