The Port of Savannah moved 4.6 million TEUs in 2019, an increase of around 250,000 TEUs, or 5.6%, in comparison to the previous year. Total tons crossing all GPA terminals reached 38.5 million, up from 36.9 million tons in 2018, an increase of 4.3%.
In Ro/Ro trade, GPA handled 657,685 units of cars, trucks and tractors in 2019, an increase of 12,167 units, or 2%.
Both Savannah and Brunswick are outperforming the market, with Garden City container trade growing at a rate three times faster than the U.S. total, and Brunswick Ro/Ro units increasing despite a drop in U.S. vehicle sales in 2019
stares GPA Board Chairman Will McKnight.
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Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) Executive Director Griff Lynch credited steady volumes in breakbulk cargo, combined with growth in tonnage for both bulk and containerized goods.
What is more, highlights of the year included an increase of new cargo handled via the Appalachian Regional Port, totaling approximately 36,000 TEUs, and the announcement of two new resin-handling facilities near Savannah, which are expected to rise export totals by around 90,000 TEUs per year.
GPA is also building the infrastructure necessary to take on new business while maintaining the free flow of cargo. An ambitious infrastructure plan will double annual rail capacity at the Port of Savannah to 2 million TEUs, expand berth capacity to handle up to six 14,000-TEU vessels by 2026, and develop another 400 acres on Colonel’s Island, enough to almost double the autoport’s annual capacity from 800,000 vehicles to 1.5 million per year.
