The Port of Brunswick set a new record in May, handling 86,577 units of Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro/Ro) cargo, marking a 26% increase of more than 18,000 units compared to May 2023.
“Brunswick’s proximity to domestic manufacturers and to vibrant sales markets make it a critical partner for the auto industry in driving new business. The recent addition of 120 acres of processing space, along with hundreds more acres available for development, make Colonel’s Island Terminal uniquely able to expand along with the needs of car manufacturers,” stated Griff Lynch, president and CEO of Georgia Ports Authority.
Notably, luxury vehicle exports to China were a highlight among Asian trade lanes, contributing to robust import-export activity in finished vehicles alongside European services last month.
In total, auto processors moved just over 23,000 auto exports and 54,550 auto imports in May.
Additionally, high/heavy machinery units reached 4,300, more than tripling the Georgia Ports Authority’s (GPA) monthly average for the fiscal year through April. This included 3,440 export units and 860 import units. This surge followed GPA’s transfer of Ro/Ro cargo from Savannah’s Ocean Terminal to Brunswick and the diversion of some high/heavy units typically exported via Baltimore.
GPA estimates that about half of the machinery increase and approximately 15% of the auto increase in May were due to the Baltimore bridge collapse. Brunswick saw a significant impact on machinery exports, as most units had to be rerouted to GPA before Baltimore’s Ro/Ro channel reopened in mid-May.
“Our increasing Ro/Ro volumes are a testament to the outstanding work of our auto port partners and the reliable service customers have come to expect at Brunswick. Our thanks go out to the manufacturers, ocean carriers, our local ILA partners and the auto processors who have made Brunswick the nation’s most efficient gateway for autos and heavy machinery,” added Kent Fountain, board chairman at GPA.
For the fiscal year to date (July 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024), Georgia Ports volumes have reached 796,000 units of autos and high/heavy machinery, a 20% increase compared to FYTD 2023. The auto port at Colonel’s Island Terminal handled 57 vessels in May, an increase of 12 ships compared to the same month last year.
