Georgia Ports Authority Celebrates 80th Anniversary

News Summary

The Georgia Ports Authority marked its 80th anniversary at the Georgia International Trade Conference, highlighting a remarkable growth in container volume. GPA’s President discussed a significant increase in container handling and upcoming projects aimed at boosting operational efficiency. The conference also addressed global trade trends and future expansion plans at Savannah’s port, underscoring its importance in national logistics.

Savannah, Georgia – The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) celebrated its 80th anniversary during the 56th annual Georgia International Trade Conference, which attracted over 400 customers, business partners, and industry leaders. The conference focused on maritime and logistics developments and showcased GPA’s substantial growth over the past eight decades, highlighted by a remarkable 784% increase in container volume.

GPA President and CEO Griff Lynch emphasized the rise of container volume, which has reached a significant 5.6 million TEU since 1995. This milestone reflects GPA’s ongoing commitment to improving trade and logistics efficiency. As part of this enhancement, a new 1,650-foot lay berth is scheduled to open at Ocean Terminal in Savannah next month, aimed at better managing vessel traffic during peak periods. This new berth will enable vessels to tie up before proceeding to the Garden City Terminal, thus streamlining operations.

The transformation of Ocean Terminal has been extensive, evolving from a small ship berth for assorted cargo to a dedicated container facility capable of accommodating larger ships. Notably, vessels carrying Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) and bulk cargo have been redirected to the Port of Brunswick, making Savannah a 100% container facility. GPA has committed $1.6 billion towards Ocean Terminal’s capital improvement project, financed through bond issuance under favorable market conditions between 2020 and 2022. The authority currently holds the highest bond rating among Southeast ports, reinforcing investor confidence in its strategic growth plans.

Chairman Kent Fountain noted the importance of Ocean Terminal in GPA’s future vision, as construction progresses to expand capacity. Ocean Terminal is set to facilitate berth space for four weekly ship calls starting May 1, contributing to increased throughput. Additionally, the Port of Savannah is recognized as the fastest-growing port along the U.S. East and Gulf coasts in 2024, recording a record throughput of 5.6 million TEU.

In response to the evolving logistics landscape, GPA is preparing for future needs with the strategic development of Garden City Terminal West, which involves a $200 million investment. This initiative will add space for 20,000 containers to enhance storage capabilities. Moreover, the Port of Brunswick has expanded its land resources, adding 215 acres for on-terminal storage to accommodate burgeoning demand.

Operational efficiency has been a priority for GPA, especially in addressing vessel backlogs caused by adverse weather and river closures. Average weekly ship calls are currently between 32 and 33, generating 42 double-stack trains per week, with a commendable rail dwell time of 22 hours. The Garden City Terminal manages between 14,000 and 16,000 truck gate moves daily, ensuring an average move time of 35 minutes for single containers, while dual export-import truck moves average 57 minutes. Truck gates operate from 4 AM to 6 PM, allowing truckers to complete up to 8 port visits each day.

Global trade trends were also a topic of discussion during the conference, including the implications of proposed tariffs and adjustments in international shipping dynamics. Notably, shipping routes from India to Savannah have become more efficient, with transit times through the Suez Canal being 10-14 days quicker and via the Cape of Good Hope 3-5 days faster than traditional West Coast routes. The shifting population towards the Southern states and a burgeoning manufacturing base in Georgia further indicate the increasing importance of the region in national trade.

Looking ahead, GPA projects a significant expansion in container terminal capacity at the Port of Savannah, estimating an increase from 5.6 million TEU to 7.5 million TEU by 2030 and 9 million TEU by 2035. Key infrastructure improvements, including deepening Savannah’s harbor and raising the Talmadge Bridge to accommodate larger vessels, are also in the pipeline. The Talmadge Bridge project, in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Transportation, is expected to be completed by 2029, further bolstering Savannah’s capabilities as a vital hub in the global trade network.

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