In February, the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) handled 451,670 TEUs, marking a rise of 56,880 TEUs or 14.4% from the same month in the previous year.
The loaded import containers surged by 19% to reach 219,000 TEUs, while export loads saw a 10% increase totalling 121,930 TEUs.
“I’d like to thank our customers for making Savannah the premier gateway into the U.S. Southeast for global commerce. The region’s fast-growing population and an increasing number of manufacturing and logistics operations are both factors in the long-term expansion of trade through Georgia,” stated Griff Lynch, GPA President and CEO.
In addition, Lynch expressed satisfaction with the consecutive growth observed in January and February. Despite a difficult beginning to the fiscal year, the increasing volumes are expected to propel GPA towards a more robust second half of Fiscal Year 2024, concluding in June.
Last month, Savannah witnessed a new February record for intermodal rail cargo. Rail volumes at the port’s Mason Mega Rail Terminal surged to 46,890 containers, marking a 39% increase or 13,060 lifts compared to February 2023. Rail transport constituted 19% of GPA’s container trade in February, with the rest being handled by truck.
“GPA has made significant investments in rail infrastructure. That’s going to play a key role in capturing our next growth target – a greater share of the market in locations such as Dallas, Memphis and beyond,” noted Lynch.
Mason Mega Rail is the largest marine terminal rail facility across North America, spanning 343,983 square meters (85 acres) with 38.6 kilometres (24 miles) of track at the Garden City Terminal within the Port of Savannah.
Its development, amounting to US$220 million, has significantly bolstered the port’s rail capacity to handle up to 1 million containers annually. This initiative diverted train routes away from local neighbourhood crossings and integrated rail switching operations within the port. The enhancement in rail capacity facilitates faster handling of intermodal cargo while broadening GPA’s reach into inland service areas.
“Our gratitude goes out to GPA employees and our partners at Gateway Terminals and the International Longshoremen’s Association for the outstanding work they are doing. The energy and care they put into our terminal services is a key reason customers continue to choose Georgia’s ports,” stated Kent Fountain, board chairman at GPA.
In Northwest Georgia, the Appalachian Regional Port (ARP) achieved a new February milestone, partly attributed to a rise in the importation of manufacturing components. Last month, the ARP managed 3,285 containers, marking an increase of 610 containers or 23%.
The ARP offers an alternative route to and from the Port of Savannah, bypassing the need for only truck transportation. Every round-trip container transported via the ARP not only reduces energy consumption but also eliminates 710 truck miles on Georgia highways. Targeting regions within Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky, the ARP aims to serve as a pivotal hub. This US$26.7 million facility commenced operations in 2018.