The Port of Savannah has achieved a record level of container traffic in the calendar year 2021 by moving 5.6 million TEU, which reflects an increase of 20% compared to 2020.
Intermodal rail volumes grew by 10% year-on-year during the same period in the US port, which topped a record of 538,000 container lifts, or nearly 1 million TEU.
The addition of nine working tracks in November enabled this result as it expanded the Port of Savannah’s rail lift capacity to 2 million TEU per year, which is a growth of 30%, according to a statement.
“The Georgia Ports Authority not only powers economic success in the Peach State, it has served as an example to the nation in solving the supply chain crisis,” stated Georgia governor Brian Kemp.
The expanded rail yard allows Savannah to build and receive six 3,048 metres long trains simultaneously, speeding the flow of international trade to and from the nation’s third-busiest container gateway.
The Port of Savannah has experienced 12 consecutive months of record container growth. December has also marked a record with 465,000 TEU handled, as well as an all-time high of 312,000 truck gate moves.
“Our expanded rail and yard capacity, along with new operational practices, allowed GPA to overcome serious headwinds in the international supply chain,” said executive director, Griff Lynch.
In 2021, Georgia Ports expedited the purchase of new equipment, completion of new capacity on terminal and hiring to accommodate the increased demand for services.
In total, GPA added four rail-mounted gantry cranes, 10 rubber-tired gantry cranes, 145 employees and an annual yard capacity of 400,000 TEU, according to a statement.
An addition of 500,000 TEU of annual capacity is projected in March, growing to a total of 1.6 million TEU of new capacity by June, a 25% increase in Savannah’s previous capacity for container trade.
