In its second busiest September on record, the Georgia Ports Authority handled 450,700 TEUs last month, translating to an increase of 12 %, compared to the same month last year.
“In September, we saw front-loading of containers as customers worked to ensure cargo availability ahead of the holiday shopping season,” said GPA President and CEO Griff Lynch. “I’d like to thank our customers for relying on Georgia Ports. With another 375,000 TEUs currently on the water, we’re expecting continued strength in October.”
September import loads totaled 234,630 TEUs in Savannah, up 17%, while export loads were down 8.8% compared to the same month last year.
The September performance brings the Port of Savannah’s total fiscal year container volumes to more than 1.4 million TEUs, up 13% for the first quarter of FY2025, which began July 1.
The inland terminal at Appalachian Regional Port handled 3,000 containers in September, an increase of 11%. According to the announcement, it was a record quarter for the ARP, moving more than 10,000 containers July through September.
“We’re focused on the long-term performance of the company and the necessary port and inland infrastructure investment to serve the State of Georgia and the Southeast region efficiently. Our gateway port model and inland product are performing well,” said GPA Board Chairman Kent Fountain.
Moreover, at the Port of Brunswick, Colonel’s Island Terminal handled 78,430 units of vehicles and high/heavy equipment in September, an increase of 10%.
Last month, the GPA Board approved the addition of 50 acres of paved vehicle storage at Colonel’s Island to accommodate increasing Ro/Ro trade. The expansion will go online in the summer of 2025, and comes after the recent addition of more than 120 acres, while Colonel’s Island still has 200 more acres available for growth.