The Port of Brunswick handled 86,577 units of RoRo freight in May, a 26 per cent increase over the same period last year.
Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) President and CEO, Griff Lynch, said: “Brunswick’s proximity to domestic manufacturers and to vibrant sales markets make it a critical partner for the auto industry in driving new business.
“The recent addition of 120 acres of processing space, along with hundreds more acres available for development, make Colonel’s Island Terminal uniquely able to expand along with the needs of car manufacturers.”
Luxury vehicle exports to China were a standout among Asian trade routes, which, together with services to Europe, had robust import-export activity in completed automobiles last month.
READ: Port of Brunswick set to be top auto and RoRo port in US
Overall, vehicle processors moved a little over 23,000 vehicle exports and 54,550 auto imports in May.
With 4,300 units, high/heavy machinery more than quadrupled GPA’s monthly average for the fiscal year through April. Exports totalled 3,440 units, with imports totalling 860.
GPA relocated RoRo freight from Savannah’s Ocean Terminal to Brunswick, diverting some high/heavy units that would have ordinarily exported through Baltimore.
READ: Port of Brunswick RoRo cargo up 61 per cent in September
GPA estimates that the Baltimore bridge collapse accounted for almost half of the equipment spike and 15 per cent of the auto increase in May.
Brunswick saw a greater impact on machinery since most units were exports that needed to be shipped to GPA before Baltimore’s RoRo channel reopened in mid-May.
The May performance pushes Georgia Ports volumes for the current fiscal year to date (July 1, 2023-May 31, 2024) to 796,000 units of automobiles and heavy machinery, a 20 per cent increase over FYTD 2023.
GPA Board Chairman, Kent Fountain, stated: “Our increasing RoRo volumes are a testament to the outstanding work of our auto port partners and the reliable service customers have come to expect at Brunswick.”
The auto port at Colonel’s Island Terminal handled 57 vessels in May, an increase of 12 ships compared to the same month last year.
