Port Of Savannah’s TEU Volume Reaches Record-Breaking 4.2 Million In FY 2018
The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) handled a record 4.2 million twenty-foot equivalent container units in Fiscal Year 2018 (July ‘17 – June ‘18), for an impressive 8.4% increase year-over-year, or 325,000 additional units.
“Moving more than 4 million TEUs in a single fiscal year is an important milestone for Georgia,” said GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch. “Georgia’s logistical advantages, along with the Southeast’s population growth, have resulted in increased demand, while the expanded Panama Canal has cleared the way for larger vessels to call Savannah.”
The GPA capped FY18 with its 20th consecutive month of positive year-over-year growth. In its busiest June ever, the Port of Savannah handled 370,725 TEUs, up 9.8 percent (33,014 TEUs) over June 2017. It was the Authority’s 18th month in a row handling more than 300,000 TEUs.
“Outstanding effort from our GPA employees, the International Longshoremen’s Association, stevedores, trucking and rail personnel made it possible to exceed customer expectations and achieve record results,” said GPA Board Chairman Jimmy Allgood. “I cannot say enough about the partnership and can-do spirit of the Georgia maritime community.”
In addition, intermodal rail lifts surged to 435,000, an increase of 16.1%, or more than 60,000 additional moves, another record for the GPA.
“The market’s increasing recognition of Georgia as a rail hub for East Coast container trade reinforces our determination to double Savannah’s on-terminal rail lift capacity,” said Lynch. “The Port of Savannah is poised to capture new rail cargo across the state, the Southeast and well into the American Midwest.”
At its meeting Monday, the GPA board approved construction of an $8.8 million overpass, part of the $127 million Mason Mega Rail project that, upon completion, will allow 10,000-foot unit trains to be built on the terminal. This, along with other improvements, will increase Savannah’s annual rail lift capacity to 1 million containers by 2020, thereby cutting transit time to markets such as Memphis, St. Louis, Chicago and Cincinnati by 24 hours.
In August, the GPA will open its Appalachian Regional Port, an inland rail terminal that will take 50,000 trucks off Georgia highways. Removing the need for a 710-mile roundtrip via truck, the ARP will improve container availability and reduce transportation costs for port customers in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky.
Lynch also reported Monday that total cargo crossing all GPA docks in FY18 grew by 8 percent, or 2.6 million tons, to reach a record 36 million tons of containerized, breakbulk and bulk cargoes. Forest products at Mayor’s Point Terminal in Brunswick increased by 34.5 percent, up 35,953 tons, for a total of 138,653 tons. Machinery, as well as commodities such as rubber and paper, pushed the breakbulk total at Savannah’s Ocean Terminal to 1.35 million tons, up 10 percent or 122,305 tons compared to FY2017.
In other business Monday, the GPA board approved the expansion of refrigerated cargo capacity at Garden City Terminal. The project will add 15 refrigerated container racks, accommodating a total of 360 additional containers. The Port of Savannah currently features 104 racks, holding 2,496 containers at a time.
The board also approved the purchase of 10 additional container handling machines, at a cost of $3.5 million.
Find print-quality images of port operations here. Georgia’s deepwater ports and inland barge terminals support more than 439,000 jobs throughout the state annually and contribute $25 billion in income, $106 billion in revenue and $2.9 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia’s economy. The Port of Savannah handled 8.5 percent of U.S. containerized cargo volume and 10 percent of all U.S. containerized exports in FY2017.
Shipping News You Would Like:
Disclaimer :
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Do you have info to share with us ? Suggest a correction
Latest Shipping News You Would Like:
Indian & U.S Navies Discuss Ways to Expand Maritime Security Cooperation
Philippines Accuses China Of Installing A Floating Barrier In The Disputed South China Sea
Insurers Of Burnt Ship X-Press Pearl Make Interim Payment To Sri Lanka For Cleanup
Firefighters Save Burning Container Ship Off The Cape Coast
Teenage Girl Found Hiding On Ship Sailing To Africa 12 Days After Disappearance
Get the Latest Maritime News Delivered to Your Inbox!
Our free, fast, and fun newsletter on the global maritime industry, delivered everyday.