Vessel traffic at Georgia Port Authority’s Port of Brunswick, the second busiest auto port in the United States with total annual capacity of 800,000 vehicles, has resumed to 24-hour operations for the first time since early September, when the Golden Ray vehicle carrier overturned while departing from the port.
GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch stated that
Reopening the Port of Brunswick to around-the-clock transit means greater flexibility for the shipping lines that call on Brunswick, and more timely service for auto manufacturers and other cargo owners.
Operations may have been restored on Thursday, November 14, yet present restrictions continue to limit the shipping channel to one-way traffic for inbound and outbound, as reports the Unified Command which is overseeing the response.
Commander Norm Witt, Federal on Scene Coordinator stressed that
While removing the M/V Golden Ray will take time, minimizing the impact of this incident on the community and protecting the environment are priorities for the Unified Command.
The Golden Ray capsized in St. Simons Sound, Brunswick, on September 8. Four of its crewmembers that were missing, were rescued and transmitted to medical care. Following the vessel’s capsize, the port was closed from Sunday and the USCG had ordered vessels sailing in the area, to avoid sailing in the area where the vessel capsized.
The port Brunswick came back in operation in September. According to AJC, vessels would temporarily be evaluated on a case-by-case basis before travelling through the area. Authorities were still assessing how to remove the vessel, which is stuck on St Simons Sound.
