The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has passed the halfway mark on its nearly $1.6 billion expansion of the Port of Savannah’s Ocean Terminal, aimed at significantly increasing container handling capacity.
The redevelopment of the 200-acre facility is expected to increase annual throughput capacity from 200,000 TEUs to 1.75 million TEUs, supporting long-term cargo growth across the US Southeast.
Griff Lynch, President and Chief Executive Officer of Georgia Ports Authority, said: “Growth in population and manufacturing across the Southeast means we must be ready to meet future demand. Improving Ocean Terminal now will allow us to continue the efficient flow of cargo between our docks and inland markets that customers rely on.”
GPA has completed upgrades to the first of two berths at Ocean Terminal. The berth is currently handling working vessels while also serving as a staging area for nearby Garden City Terminal operations.
Vessels can be transferred directly to Savannah’s main container terminal once berth space becomes available.
Construction on the second berth is scheduled for completion this month. Once complete, the facility will be capable of accommodating two large vessels simultaneously across 2,650 feet of dock space.
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Ocean Terminal will continue handling smaller vessels until the first phase of the container yard redevelopment is completed.
The first half of the upgraded yard is expected to open in mid-autumn 2027, with full completion targeted by the end of 2028.
During the interim period, the berths will also operate as lay berths, allowing vessels of any size to wait before moving into available positions at the 1,500-acre Garden City Terminal.
Truck operations are also being reconfigured as part of the redevelopment programme. The new gate complex is around 80 per cent complete, with initial components already operational. By November 2026, the gate is expected to feature 12 inbound and six outbound truck lanes.
Port officials said the expanded gate infrastructure is intended to improve traffic efficiency and reduce congestion around the terminal.
A separate $29 million GPA-funded overpass now directs outbound truck traffic straight to US 17 and Interstate 16, bypassing residential roads.
Inbound truck traffic will use a dedicated offramp connected to a signalised intersection, providing direct access between Savannah and Metro Atlanta logistics corridors.
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Truck drivers accessing Ocean Terminal are also using the GPA Trucker app, which provides container location data and digital gate transaction notifications, removing the need for paper-based documentation at terminal gates.
Additional works include yard upgrades, operational equipment improvements and new support buildings.
Despite ongoing construction, Ocean Terminal handled approximately 84,000 TEUs during calendar year 2025. Once redevelopment is completed, the project is expected to increase the Port of Savannah’s annual capacity to 9 million TEUs by 2029.
Lynch said the Ocean Terminal redevelopment forms part of GPA’s wider long-term port master plan, which includes plans to invest $5 billion in future capacity projects over the next decade.
For more information:
Georgia Ports Authority – https://gaports.com/
