The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) reported 464,883 TEUs in November, which represents a decrease of 6.2% or 30,866 TEUs compared to the same month last year.
“Container trade at US ports is returning to a more sustainable growth pattern, which is a positive development for the logistics industry,” commented GPA executive director, Griff Lynch, who added, “Along with the addition of more than 1 million TEUs of annual capacity, a slight reduction in demand will mean faster vessel service as we work to bring a new big ship berth online at Garden City Terminal in July.”
According to Georgia Ports, the impact of inflation and a shift in consumer spending are partially responsible for a reduction in manufacturing and subsequent container demand, while weather also played a role in the November decline, with the Savannah River channel being closed to the largest vessels for more than three days last month because of adverse weather conditions, including Tropical Storm Nicole.
“While we are planning for a moderation in the container trade, we expect volumes to remain strong, though shy of the historic highs of the past year,” noted GPA chairman, Joel Wooten.
He went on to say, “Announcements from automakers and other manufacturers coming to Georgia, as well as an array of their suppliers, will mean healthy increases in trade over the long term.”
Lynch also stated that the current lull has allowed Savannah to reduce its vessel queue to 17 container ships, down 43% from 1 November, when there were 30 vessels at anchor. GPA expects to clear the backlog by early January.
The authority announced last week its intention to renovate the docks at Ocean Terminal in Savannah to provide two additional big ship berths and transform the facility of around 810,000 m² to a container-only operation by 2026.
