Car manufacturer INEOS has chosen the Port of Brunswick in Georgia to deliver its new Grenadier off-road SUV to markets across the US Southeast.
"We are happy to welcome INEOS and the Grenadier to Georgia. Brunswick’s central location and superior connectivity, combined with the ease of doing business in Georgia, make it the perfect gateway for the US launch of this exciting new vehicle," commented Griff Lynch, president and CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA).
Currently, 19 dealers nationwide are set to handle the distribution of this high-end SUV, which INEOS describes as tailor-made for off-road enthusiasts. Southern US sales locations include Atlanta, Ft. Lauderdale and St. Petersburg, Houston and Dallas, and High Point.
INEOS is a global chemical company with 36 businesses at 194 sites in 29 countries throughout the world. Its consumer brands also include INEOS Hygienics and British fashion label Belstaff. The Grenadier is the company’s first foray into auto manufacturing.
At Colonel’s Island, where two dozen other auto manufacturers are already established, INEOS will join the ranks. This 6.88 million square meters terminal offers direct access to Interstate 95, facilitating efficient transportation via I-10 and I-16.
"We have selected the Port of Brunswick as our strategic gateway to the East Coast to cover customer volume along the major cities across the region. Brunswick represents our tactical and geographical preferred location to cover our sales distribution network. The port provides an extensive capacity for vehicle storage, processing and maritime cargo which helps to minimize total transit time and improve customer order deliveries," stated Gabriel Pernia, planning and logistics director at INEOS Automotive Americas.
Manufactured in France, the vehicles will be shipped from Belgium to various global markets including the US, Australia, Europe, and South Africa. INEOS plans to enter the Canadian market in the first quarter of 2024 and expand to Mexico by midyear, with Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics handling freight forwarding.
To accommodate the growing volume of Ro/Ro cargo, the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) is investing US$260 million in expanding Colonel’s Island at the Port of Brunswick. This expansion includes the development of approximately 59,457 square meters of new processing space and an additional 494 thousand square meters of auto storage.
"At Georgia Ports, we are committed to building the best gateways for US supply chains, including those of our Roll-on/Roll-off customers," noted Lynch, adding that the size of Colonel’s Island Terminal allows on-site auto processing, for services such as accessory installation.
Recently, the Port of Brunswick received federal approval to add a fourth berth at Colonel’s Island, enabling more efficient handling of larger vessels with capacities exceeding 7,000 vehicles, aligning with industry standards at US gateways.
