The Port of Savannah's efficient container operations contributing to its growth.
The Port of Savannah reported a remarkable 12.5% growth in container handling in 2024, outpacing even major ports like New York and New Jersey. This growth has resulted in the handling of 5.6 million TEUs, with plans for significant investments to enhance operations, indicating a bright future for Savannah as a key player in the shipping industry.
In an exciting turn of events for the coastal city of Savannah, the Port of Savannah has emerged as the fastest growing port on the U.S. East and Gulf coasts in 2024. With a jaw-dropping growth rate of 12.5%, Savannah is shaking things up by outpacing even heavyweights like the Port of New York and New Jersey!
So, what does this growth translate to? The Port of Savannah handled about 5.6 million twenty-foot-equivalent units (TEUs) in 2024, which is an increase of 618,000 TEUs compared to the previous year. In comparison, the Port of New York and New Jersey, despite their larger overall volume of 8.7 million TEUs, simply couldn’t keep up with Savannah’s rapid pace!
What’s even more remarkable about Savannah’s growth is the backdrop of industry challenges it faced. From disruptions caused by cargo diversion away from the Suez Canal to a short-term strike by the International Longshoremen Association, Savannah managed to sail through these turbulent waters. This resilience is worth celebrating, and it shows the determination of the port and all those involved.
During the annual State of the Port event, the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) President and CEO shared exciting future plans! They are set to invest a whopping $4 billion into enhancing container operations at the Ocean Terminal and constructing a brand-new container terminal on Hutchinson Island. The ambitious goal? To handle a staggering 9 million TEUs by 2035!
To make this happen, renovations are already underway at Ocean Terminal, transforming it into a focused container operation. This renovation alone aims to add an impressive 1.5 million TEUs of capacity per year by the middle of 2028. The first phase of these renovations is expected to wrap up by mid-2027!
In a bid to streamline operations even further, a new “lay berth” at Ocean Terminal is on the way. This innovation will reduce the idle time at the berth from around 12 hours to just 3 hours! The end result? The port will be able to accommodate roughly two more big ship vessels each week. And to keep the momentum going, a second lay berth is in the works, set to be operational by 2026!
And that’s not all! The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is also working on raising the Talmadge Bridge by 2029 to better accommodate larger ships. These enhancements reflect a commitment to not only keeping pace with growth but also anticipating future demands in a rapidly changing industry.
Moreover, Savannah’s Mason Mega Rail Terminal is making waves with record-breaking rail volumes too! In 2024, a remarkable 540,850 containers were moved by train, which represents a solid 5.7% increase from 2023. Port activities support over 609,000 jobs in Georgia, contributing beautifully to the local community, and generating an impressive $171 billion in sales for the state. As if that wasn’t enough, this comes with a whopping $72 billion contribution to Georgia’s GDP.
All in all, the Port of Savannah is charting an exciting course for 2024 and beyond. With ambitious plans for growth, strategic investments, and a commitment to overcoming challenges, Savannah is gearing up for a bright future on the global shipping stage!
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