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Brunswick’s ro-ro traffic and Savannah box traffic up 30% and 2.3% respectively
The Georgia Ports Authority saw cargo volumes climb nearly 7 percent in February to 2.27 million tons, when compared to the same month last year.
Speaking at the GPA Board meeting earlier this week, executive director Curtis Foltz also noted stellar growth in auto/machinery units moved through Colonel’s Island Terminal at the Port of Brunswick. With a 30.4 percent improvement over February last year, Brunswick added 11,799 vehicles to reach 50,622 units. For the fiscal year, the GPA has moved 415,730 units, up 21 percent over FY2012.
“Increased roll-on/roll-off cargo among the 21 car manufacturers we serve indicates an improving market for auto sales,” said Foltz said.
“Our exports of Ford, GM and Toyota, as well as luxury brands Mercedes and BMW, support car making jobs across the southern US.”
Brunswick also achieved phenomenal growth in bulk cargo, reaching 124,028 tons in February, an increase of 91,568 tons, or 282 percent over February 2012. For FY2013, bulk tonnage in Brunswick has surpassed 800,500 tons, for a year-over-year growth rate of 550 percent.
Meanwhile, the Port of Savannah saw a growth of 45,007 tons, or 2.3 percent, over February 2012 to surpass 2 million tons of cargo moved in February alone. Container volumes jumped 2.3 percent to 242,425 TEU.
“In the fourth quarter, we expect to see further growth in container traffic, both in the wake of successful labour contract negotiations, and as the nation’s economic recovery continues,” added Foltz.
