The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) reported a significant increase in container volumes in February, handling 451,670 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), marking a 14.4 percent rise compared to the same month last year. This uptick in activity was fueled by a 19 percent increase in loaded import containers, totaling 219,000 TEUs, and a 10 percent rise in export loads, reaching 121,930 TEUs. Griff Lynch, GPA’s President and CEO, attributed this growth to Savannah’s role as the premier gateway into the U.S. Southeast for global commerce, driven by the region’s burgeoning population and a growing number of manufacturing and logistics operations.
This period of growth, observed in both January and February, is a positive turnaround from the challenging start to the fiscal year, positioning GPA for a robust second half of Fiscal Year 2024, which ends in June. Additionally, the Mason Mega Rail Terminal in Savannah set a February record, processing 46,890 containers, a 39 percent increase from February 2023. This growth in rail volumes, accounting for 19 percent of GPA’s February container trade, underscores the strategic importance of GPA’s investments in rail infrastructure. The Mason Mega Rail Terminal, North America’s largest marine terminal rail facility, plays a pivotal role in extending GPA’s inland service area and enhancing intermodal cargo handling efficiency.
Kent Fountain, GPA Board Chairman, expressed gratitude to GPA employees and partners for their exceptional service, which continues to attract customers to Georgia’s ports. The Appalachian Regional Port (ARP) in Northwest Georgia also saw a record-setting February, handling 3,285 containers, a 23 percent increase, driven partly by a rise in the import of manufacturing components. The ARP serves as a vital link between the Port of Savannah and the inland markets of Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky, providing a sustainable alternative to all-truck routes and significantly reducing highway truck miles.
This report not only highlights the Georgia Ports Authority’s ongoing expansion and operational efficiency but also reflects the broader trends and dynamics in the global logistics and transportation sector, emphasizing the critical role of strategic investments and partnerships in driving growth and enhancing service capabilities.
