Loaded container exports at the Port of Savannah increased by 21% in January, compared with the same month in 2022, reaching 110,305 TEUs, while the US port’s overall trade in the first month of the year was 421,714 TEUs.
According to the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), exports from the United States were a bright spot last month for the port, when overall cargo fell by 55,000 TEUs, or 11.5%, compared to January 2022.
“The decrease was fueled in part by reduced orders in retail and manufacturing, resulting in import loads softening by 39,850 TEUs, or 16%,” said GPA in a statement.
Similarly, empty container exports via Savannah fell by 34,650 TEUs due to lower demand for Asian goods served by the empty boxes. Weather also played a factor, according to GPA, pushing six ships that were scheduled to stop in Savannah from late January to the next month.
GPA board chairman, Joel Wooten said the Authority is using the current reduction in traffic to make significant progress on infrastructure projects that will be needed as demand returns.
“Being prepared to take advantage of opportunities as they arise requires steady leadership and an eye toward long-term trends,” he pointed out.
