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Georgia Ports Expects Container Rebound in 2024

[ February 21, 2024   //   ]

The Georgia Ports Authority saw record volumes through its Port of Brunswick, while a flurry of investments should yield stronger container volumes at the Port of Savannah in 2024.
The Port of Brunswick handled a record 775,565 units of autos and machinery in the port’s 2023 calendar year, an increase of 15.6 percent over 2022.
“GPA is firing on all cylinders,” said GPA Chairman Kent Fountain, as the port authority’s investments of US$262 million and acreage at the roll-on, roll-off Colonel’s Island Terminal enable automakers to meet growing import and export needs and flexibility in seasonal storage and movement of vehicles.
The expansion includes near-dock warehousing serving auto and machinery processing at Colonel’s Island Terminal with three new warehouses and new processing centers finishing later this year, resulting in 122 acres of new ro-ro cargo storage space, a fourth ro-ro berth in the engineering phase and a new rail yard planned.
“At its current rate of growth, the Port of Brunswick is poised to become the nation’s busiest gateway for roll-on/roll-off cargo,” said Griff Lynch, GPA’s president and CEO.

Containers

The ports authority’s container terminals handled 422,300 20-foot equivalent units in December, down 4 percent or nearly 18,500 TEUs compared to the same month in 2022. The Port of Savannah ended its calendar year with 4.9 million TEUs, a 16 percent decrease from 2022. Higher inflation rates and interest rates slowed consumer spending resulting in higher inventories in warehouses.
“We are using this time to invest in capacity for future needs,” Lynch said, as the port authority expects to invest US$4.2 billion over the next 10 years. Renewed strength in container volumes is expected in the new year, and “more favorable comparisons moving forward the next six months,” he added.
GPA has invested more than US$374 million to create the “largest on-dock rail facility in the Western Hemisphere,” with a comprehensive network of inland terminals, including GPA operated sites such as the Appalachian Regional Port in Murray County, Georgia, and numerous future sites in the pipeline.
Mason Mega Rail’s scale and reach is a foundational infrastructure to the port’s national gateway growth plans, using a “1,2,3” cargo strategy — one day off the vessel in Savannah, two days transportation, and third day availability to a wide network of inland destinations from Atlanta and Dallas to Memphis and Chicago, with 75 percent of the U.S. population is reachable within 3-4 days.
The intermodal facility saw a 10 percent increase through the first six months of fiscal year 2024 compared to fiscal year 2023. In December, GPA had 45,709 rail lifts which is 20 percent higher than the same period the previous year. Rail volumes represent about 20 percent of Savannah’s volumes with 80 percent moved by truck.
Mason Mega Rail’s scale and reach provides the basis for the port’s national gateway growth plans, using a “1,2,3” cargo strategy — one day off the vessel in Savannah, two days transportation, and third day availability to a wide network of inland destinations from Atlanta and Dallas to Memphis and Chicago, with 75 percent of the U.S. population is reachable within 3-4 days.
Garden City Terminals’ improved Berth 1 reopened in July 2023, increases berth capacity by 25 percent or 1.5 million TEUs, and reconfigures dock alignment to provide an additional ship berth capable of handling container vessels handling more than 16,000 TEUs.

Capacity Building

Other GPA capacity-building projects include:

  • GPA approved US$127 million on Dec. 5 to build the Blue Ridge Connector, an inland rail terminal in Gainesville, Georgia, linking Northeast Georgia with the Port of Savannah’s 37 weekly vessel calls. Schedule to open in 2026, the facility will serve the region’s production of heavy equipment, food and forest products.
  • A direct rail connection between Savannah and Rocky Mount, North Carolina, via the CSX Carolina Connector rail service provides seven-day-a-week rail departures from Mason Ridge Rail Terminal and a three-day transit time.
  • The Port of Savannah received eight ship-to-shore cranes – four in February and four in August – bringing the crane fleet to 34. The new cranes are the largest on the U.S. East Coast, the cranes are able to serve 22,000-TEU vessels.
  • Adding 100 acres and 1 million TEUs of annual capacity to create Garden City Terminal West, adjacent to Garden City Terminal proper. Scheduled for completion in two phases in 2024, the yard will offer a new, long-term storage option for port customers.
  • Announced US$44 million in investment to build a new office and refrigeration facility to support the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s on-port facility. The only such facility in the U.S., it lowers costs and supply chain time for customers by eliminating the need to transport containers to an off-site inspection facility.
  • Opened the Savannah Transload Facility on Dec. 5. Operated by NFI, the facility moves goods from containers to over-the-road trailers for faster, more efficient delivery.

Ocean Terminal Overpass

The port authority on Feb. 2 announced plans to invest US$29 million for an overpass linking Ocean Terminal to Route 17, which is expected to keep terminal truck capacity from impacting local neighborhoods.
Led by GPA, the joint collaboration among the port authority, the city of Savannah and the Georgia Department of Transportation will enable trucks to directly access Route 17 as opposed to using Louisville Road and local streets to enter the highway. The GPA will construct the overpass and roadway entrance to U.S. 17, to be completed by 2026. The GDOT will then be responsible for maintenance and repair.
GPA will also build a dedicated exit ramp from Route 17 and a new truck-only entrance roadway into Ocean Terminal designed for enhanced safety and traffic operations for the traveling public.

The Georgia Ports Authority said it expects to invest US$4.2 billion over the next 10 years. PHOTO: Georgia Ports Authority

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