The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has started the new fiscal year handling 530,800 TEU in July, as the Port of Savannah keeps delivering strong performance.
The figure represents a year-on-year increase of 18 per cent.
Since January, GPA has moved 3.4 million TEU, up 7 per cent over its performance during the same period in 2021 – already a record year for GPA with 5.6 million TEU handled.
GPA reported that the Port of Savannah moving rate currently stands at more than 6 million TEU per year. The port’s gate operations averaged 15,000 truck moves per weekday in July, including both import and export transactions.
“The Port of Savannah has clearly become a preferred East Coast gateway for shippers globally, including cargo diverted from the US West Coast,” said GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch.
“Our expedited infrastructure projects, extended gate hours and the outstanding work of our employees and partners are key to our ability to move cargo at a record pace.”
The Port of Savannah ended the previous fiscal year with a record June, handling 494,107 TEU in total cargo – up 10.6 per cent or 47,300 TEU compared to the same month last year.
In addition to organic growth among its port customers, Savannah trade was also boosted by West Coast labour talks and delayed access to rail at West Coast ports, prompting a significant shift in vessel calls.
Lynch noted that Savannah’s container operation is growing to accommodate increasing customer demand; planned infrastructure projects will soon increase berth capacity to handle vessels faster.
GPA has eight new ship-to-shore cranes on order, with the first four arriving in February and the next four arriving by the end of 2023.
The improved berth is set to add 1.4 million TEU of berth capacity, while the Garden City Terminal West project will add another 1 million TEU of container yard capacity in phases during 2023 and 2024.
READ: Port of Savannah to receive major capacity boost
GPA is further planning to expand overall annual berth capacity from 6 million to 7.5 million TEU by next year, and 9 million TEU by 2025. The authority anticipates a $4.5 billion investment over the next 12 years to expand its container-handling capabilities.
“While the global logistics network has been challenged over the past two years, our message to customers is that at GPA we’re continuing to build and expand,” said GPA Chairman Joel Wooten.
“We’re moving forward with an aggressive plan to enhance our terminal operations and improve the rail connectivity to major commercial and manufacturing centres.”
