In March, Colonel’s Island Terminal at the Port of Brunswick maintained its remarkable performance, processing 77,236 units of Roll-on/Roll-off cargo.
This marks a notable uptick of 13,438 units or 21% compared to the corresponding period last year.
“March was the busiest month ever for Ro/Ro cargo in Brunswick, with organic growth and new customers driving increases in both autos and high and heavy equipment. Import and export trade has increased as automakers expanded production and Colonel’s Island processors have captured additional market share in the South Atlantic region,” stated Griff Lynch, CEO and president of Georgia Ports Authority.
In addition, of the Ro/Ro volumes for March, 4,210 units comprised high and heavy cargo. The machinery volumes for Fiscal Year 2024 have now reached 20,113 units, demonstrating a significant surge of 6,887 units or 34% over the initial nine months of the fiscal year, which concludes on 30 June 2024.
Between July 2023 and March 2024, the GPA handled a total of 628,937 units of Ro/Ro cargo, showcasing an increase of 88,200 units or 16%. The average monthly handling stands at 69,882 units, potentially leading Georgia Ports to achieve an unprecedented milestone of 800,000 units by the conclusion of the fiscal year in June.
“Brunswick’s terminal capacity, its location just two miles from I-95, and on-terminal rail facilities make it the perfect gateway to serve manufacturers and dealerships across the Southeast. The investments we are making will ensure Colonel’s Island can meet the demand of the region’s fast-growing population for years to come,” stated Kent Fountain, GPA Board Chairman.
Moreover, twenty-three automotive manufacturers and 17 heavy machinery producers utilize the Port of Brunswick, which managed around 723,515 Ro/Ro units during the previous fiscal year.
Colonel’s Island achieved a record-breaking milestone in March, servicing 52 vessels, reflecting an increase of 11 vessels or 27% compared to March 2023. Throughout the first three quarters of the fiscal year, the Port of Brunswick has facilitated the handling of 431 Ro/Ro vessels. With its current monthly average, Colonel’s Island is poised to set a new record of 572 ships by June’s end, surpassing the previous record of 534 vessels set in FY2015.
In response to escalating trade demands, the Georgia Ports Authority is enhancing its infrastructure to accommodate automotive and high and heavy equipment trade.
Colonel’s Island is in the midst of a US$262 million infrastructure initiative nearing completion. These projects aim to expand capacity by adding 493,716 m² of Ro/Ro storage and 640,000 square feet of new processing space. Progress on these ventures exceeds 85% completion and is anticipated to conclude in late summer 2024. Additionally, there are 1.21 million m² earmarked for further development.
Furthermore, GPA is advancing plans to incorporate a fourth Ro/Ro berth to manage increased vessel traffic efficiently. Presently in the engineering phase, the new berth will optimize the accommodation of vessels capable of carrying over 7,000 vehicles.
