The Port of Savannah moved an all-time high 519,390 TEU in May, breaking the previous record of 504,350 TEU set in October 2021.
The figures represent a year-on-year increase of 8.5 per cent – or 40,770 TEU.
“Despite global supply chain challenges, the Port of Savannah continues to be an economic driver, providing reliable, world-class service for port customers across our state and nation,” said Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.
“Delivering new opportunity for hardworking Georgians and supporting economic prosperity across the Peach State is central to the mission of our deepwater ports.”
Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) Executive Director Griff Lynch noted that the port’s Garden City Terminal is handling more business over the current influx of trade compared to the previous spike last fall.
This increase in business has been driven in part by vessels diverting to Savannah from other East and West Coast ports.
“Strong consumer demand continues to drive higher volumes at the Port of Savannah,” said Lynch.
“The infrastructure improvements and pop-up yards approved by the GPA Board have enabled our operations to maintain the flow of cargo across our terminal, despite unprecedented container volumes passing through the port.”
In April, the GPA added 900,000 TEU of annual capacity to its Garden City Terminal. A further 300,000 TEU is expected to come online in July.
The port authority also gave an update on its Garden City Terminal West expansion project, announcing it has added a 25-acre container yard adjacent to Ga. Highway 21. Phase two plans to add up to 1 million TEU of annual capacity, which will start coming online in 2023.
GPA Board Chairman Joel Wooten added: “By increasing container space at Garden City Terminal, GPA is accommodating the expansion in global commerce that supports job growth in Georgia.
“Industries from logistics to auto manufacturing, and agriculture to retail depend on Georgia’s ports for reliable supply chain solutions.”
The Port of Savannah also completed 327,400 truck gate moves in May, counting loaded import and export containers, as well as the movement of empty chassis.
