The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has achieved a new rail cargo record at the Port of Savannah’s Mason Mega Rail Terminal, handling 46,890 containers in February, marking a 39% increase over the same month last year. This achievement is part of the GPA’s broader strategy to enhance rail infrastructure and expand its market share in locations beyond its current reach, including Dallas and Memphis.
The Appalachian Regional Port in Northwest Georgia also saw record-breaking activity in February, moving 3,825 containers, a 23% increase from February 2023. Rail now accounts for 19% of the GPA’s container trade, with the remaining volume moving by truck.
This growth comes as a welcome change following a challenging start to fiscal 2024, with overall containerized cargo traffic at Savannah increasing by 14.4% in February compared to the previous year. Looking ahead, the GPA has approved a $127 million investment for a second inland rail terminal in Gainesville, the Blue Ridge Connector, set to open in 2026. This development aims to strengthen Georgia’s logistics network and drive economic development, particularly in rural areas.
The state has invested a total of $374 million in rail capacity, emphasizing the importance of rail in streamlining supply chains and reducing highway congestion. The Blue Ridge Connector, like the Appalachian Regional Port, will be connected to Savannah’s Mason Mega Rail Terminal by Norfolk Southern Railroad, highlighting the strategic integration of inland and marine terminal operations.
Despite a decrease in containerized cargo business in 2023, the GPA remains committed to a $4.2 billion improvement plan at the Port of Savannah over the next decade. Projects include expansions at the Garden City Terminal and Brunswick’s Colonel’s Island, aiming to accommodate future growth in both container and Roll-on/Roll-off cargo traffic.
Credits:
- Northwest Georgia News, “Georgia Ports Authority Posts Rail Cargo Record”, Northwest Georgia News Article.
