The Port of Brunswick has retained its position as the US’ busiest automotive port for a second consecutive year.
It handled 779,000 vehicle units in 2025 alongside more than 53,000 units of heavy machinery across import and export trades.
A total of 731 vessel calls were recorded at the port during the calendar year, underlining sustained demand for RoRo capacity across the US Southeast.
Speaking at the Georgia International Trade Conference, Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia, highlighted the role of port investment in supporting regional growth.
Kemp said: “Innovation and port investments by the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) are helping to keep our state No. 1 for business while also positioning us as a true leader in global trade. Our ports are an economic engine for the entire state, and we’ll continue to find ways to further their success and reach.”
Alec Poitevint, Chairman, GPA, stated: “Our ongoing investments will further solidify the Port of Brunswick as the number one RoRo port in the US.”
READ: Port of Brunswick sets new auto, machinery record
Griff Lynch, President and CEO, GPA, said: “We have the US market access and global connectivity, a new berth in construction, expanded rail infrastructure on-terminal and new storage space for vehicles, creating the most supply chain options in the US. When Berth 4 opens in November 2027, vessel operators will be able to turn ships faster, save costs and optimise their fleet to compete more strongly.”
Infrastructure investment is accelerating to meet projected growth in cargo volumes and vessel sizes. A $100 million berth dedicated to RoRo cargo is under construction, alongside upgrades to storage areas, dredging and wider harbour improvements. Work on the fourth berth at Colonels Island is approximately 30 per cent complete.
Harbour enhancements led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are also progressing. Inner harbour dredging concluded in March, with outer harbour works due for completion in September 2026.
Once finalised, the channel will return to its authorised depth, allowing fully laden vessels to transit without tidal constraints.
Further federal works will widen channel bends and expand the turning basin serving Colonels Island, which handled 607 vessel calls in 2025. Construction is expected to begin in late 2026, backed by combined federal, state and GPA funding.
On the terminal side, GPA completed $284 million in self-financed upgrades in fiscal year 2025. This includes expanded processing infrastructure for heavy equipment, delivering more than 680,000 square feet of covered storage and over 160 acres of additional vehicle storage.
READ: Port of Brunswick begins dredging works
Colonels Island now spans 1,700 acres, with a further 264 acres earmarked for future development, providing the largest RoRo capacity footprint of any US port.
Rail connectivity is also being scaled up. Phase I of the Southside Railyard has increased annual capacity from 175,000 to 370,000 vehicles, with Phase II set to add a further 250,000 units by 2029.
The expansion is expected to open additional inland markets for automotive and equipment manufacturers.
For more information:
Georgia Ports Authority – https://gaports.com/
