The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) reported 436,000 TEUs in March, marking an 18.5% surge in trade compared to the same month last year.
“With double-digit growth in the first quarter, we’re excited about where we’re going and thankful for the continued trust our customers place in Georgia Ports. No other port in the country can match Savannah’s efficient operations, thanks to our GPA employees and our partners at the International Longshoremen’s Association and Gateway Terminals,” stated Griff Lynch, CEO and President of GPA.
Throughout the first three months of calendar year 2024, Georgia Ports has achieved an 11% growth in total container trade. Intermodal rail cargo at the Port of Savannah saw a significant rise, reaching 44,902 containers in March, reflecting a 22% increase compared to last year and a 17% increase in fiscal year-to-date.
“GPA’s intermodal team and our partners, CSX and Norfolk Southern, are doing phenomenal work, with cargo reaching inland destinations only three days after crossing our docks. Cargo discharges from a vessel arrive at inland destinations the next day andis available to customers by day three,” pointed out Lynch.
This growth in intermodal cargo is supported by the Mason Mega Rail Terminal, recognized as the largest on-port rail facility in North America. Notably, rail dwell time is kept under one day, and daily rail departures efficiently transport cargo to key markets like Dallas, Memphis, and Atlanta.
“Growing rail infrastructure in Savannah and across the region extends port services to more customers, cuts transportation costs and reduces emissions. Mason Mega Rail, combined with rail hubs in Atlanta; our Appalachian Regional Port (in Murray County, GA); and the soon-coming Blue Ridge Connector help avoid traffic congestion by shifting containers from long-haul trucks to rail,” commented Kent Fountain, board chairman of GPA.
Furthermore, construction for the Blue Ridge Connector is underway, which will be near Gainesville, Georgia situated along the manufacturing and logistics corridor of Interstate 85. This connector represents GPA’s second-operated inland network facility in Georgia, bridging Northeast Georgia with the Port of Savannah’s 37 global container ship services. With an estimated cost of US$134 million, the facility is slated to commence operations in 2026.
In addition, another facet of GPA’s expanding infrastructure is the Garden City Terminal West, a new 405,000 m² container yard located adjacent to the Port of Savannah’s main terminal. This site includes a new truck gate and a secure roadway link to Garden City Terminal. Lynch emphasized that this added capacity enhances supply chain flexibility, particularly when combined with Georgia Ports’ inland rail connectivity.
