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December box volumes up 7.4%, bulk cargo up 10%
The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has reported an eight percent rise in total tonnage for the first six months of Fiscal Year 2014.
From July through December 2013, the GPA moved 14.36 million tonnes of cargo, up from the 13.3 million tonnes handled during the same period the previous year, GPA executive director Curtis Foltz told the authority board on Monday.
“Strong volumes in container traffic, bulk cargo and auto and machinery units for the month of December contributed to this successful mid-year report,” said Foltz.
The GPA also saw container volumes surge 7.4 percent, or 16,183 TEU, to 235,311 TEU in December, while bulk cargo for its part rose 10 percent to 325,020 tonnes. For FY2014 to date, the GPA has moved 1.35 million tonnes of bulk cargo, an increase of 11.7 percent, or 141,806 tonnes.
“Our tremendous growth highlights the increasing importance of the Ports of Savannah and Brunswick to the nation’s international commerce,” said GPA board chairman Robert Jepson.
“We are well prepared to take on even greater responsibility: We are handling 3 million TEU a year in Savannah, but we can move up to 6.5 million TEU without increasing our physical footprint.”
