The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has reported that 5.4 million TEU passed through its ports in FY2023, a decrease of 6.7 per cent GPA’s all-time high in 2022.
Compared to pre-pandemic volumes of 4.5 million TEU in FY2019, GPA’s performance improved by 20 per cent.
Since FY2019, its compound annual growth rate has been 4.7 per cent each year.
According to the most recent PIERS data, the Port of Savannah achieved 11.2 per cent market share in container trade among US ports on the East, West and Gulf coasts through April, its highest ever.
READ: GPA nears 6 million TEU for 2022
“This continues a trend stemming from the US Southeast’s fast-growing population, increased domestic production and a shift in overseas manufacturing toward India and Southeast Asia, favouring delivery via Savannah,” GPA President and CEO Griff Lynch commented.
“I’d like to commend GPA employees, and our partners at Gateway Terminals and the International Longshoremen’s Association for their outstanding work during our second busiest year ever.”
GPA handled more than 723,500 Ro-Ro units in FY2023, an increase of 18 per cent or approximately 109,000 units over the previous year.
Ro-Ro imports at GPA were up by 99,000 units year-over-year (YoY), or 24 per cent, while exports increased 11,500 units, or more than 7 per cent.
Besides expansion of existing business, GPA also added Nissan as a Brunswick customer in FY2023. Colonel’s Island Terminal now handles Nissan imports from Japan and Mexico.
“The Port of Brunswick achieved strong growth in the import and export of heavy machinery, while auto manufacturers’ improved microchip supply also meant an increase in vehicles,” added Lynch.
“I’d like to thank our customers for their continued confidence in Brunswick as a superior gateway to the US, and the auto processors for the world-class service they are providing.”
READ: GPA appoints new Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Another highlight of FY2023 was record commerce at the Appalachian Regional Port. With 33,700 train lifts, the inland terminal handled its biggest volume ever, an increase of more than 18 per cent or 5,200 containers.
GPA is investing $1.9 billion in existing infrastructure projects to prepare for future demand.
Improvements include modifications to Berth 1 at Garden City Terminal, which increased berth capacity by 25 per cent.
Berth 1 reopened to vessel service on 20 July, with shorter turn times for ocean carriers.
READ: Port of Savannah to receive major capacity boost
A new transload facility will deliver greater speed and flexibility for customers in cargo handling, while the Garden City West development adds 100 acres of long-term storage available at lower cost than in the regular container yard.
Upgrades now under construction at the Port of Brunswick include 640,000 square feet of new processing space across five new buildings, and 122 acres of additional auto storage.
The new acreage will increase Ro-Ro capacity from 1.2 million to 1.4 million vehicles per year.
Two near-dock warehouses and three buildings on the south side of Colonel’s Island start coming online in August.
In May 2023, GPA received federal environmental approval to develop an inland terminal near Gainesville.
