The Port of Brunswick is poised to become the top auto and machinery port in the United States, with 1 million m² of land for development, according to Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) president and CEO, Griff Lynch.
Addressing the State of the Port annual event, hosted by the Brunswick Chamber of Commerce, Lynch said, “Organic growth, a steady pipeline of new customers and the ability to take on new trade will boost Brunswick’s Roll-on/Roll-off volumes, which are already expanding at a strong rate.”
He added, “To accommodate anticipated market demand, GPA has initiated an aggressive infrastructure plan, strengthening Colonel’s Island for auto and machinery processing.”
In fiscal year 2023, Colonel’s Island Terminal in Brunswick grew Ro/Ro volumes by 18%, to more than 705,000 units of autos and heavy machinery, moving both into and out of the port. Including Ocean Terminal in Savannah’s Ro/Ro volumes, GPA handled a record 723,515 units during this time period.
The Port of Brunswick served 610 vessel calls in FY2023, representing an increase of 11% over the year prior. Colonel’s Island handled 495 of those ships.
The Port of Brunswick is currently investing over US$262 million in enhancements to handle its increasing traffic. They have recently completed the construction of a 32,500 m² warehouse near the dock, which is used for auto and machinery processing on the north side of Colonel’s Island Terminal.
On the south side of the island, they are currently building three more buildings with Roll-on/Roll-off cargo storage space.
Furthermore, GPA has received Federal approval for a fourth Ro/Ro berth at Colonel’s Island, which is in the engineering phase. This expansion will make it easier for larger vessels capable of carrying up to 7,000 vehicles to call at the port.
Next year, a new railyard on the Southside of Colonel’s Island is set to begin construction. This rail capacity improvement will enable the Port of Brunswick to extend its reach further into interior markets, attracting more business.
In addition to these developments, federally funded maintenance dredging is ongoing in the Brunswick River shipping channel. The US Army Corps of Engineers is also seeking funding for a project that aims to improve vessel transit efficiency by widening the channel and expanding the turning basin at Colonel’s Island.
Investments at Mayor’s Point Terminal in the Port of Brunswick aim to support growing breakbulk trade. This includes the construction of a new warehouse with modern safety features and reinforced flooring for heavy cargo. This new facility replaces an older building.
