Savannah’s Port Achieves Remarkable Growth in October!
Hey there, Savannah! We’ve got some exciting news to share about our bustling Port! The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has just announced some impressive figures for October, and you’ll definitely want to hear about it.
Busy Days on the Docks
This past October, the GPA managed to handle a whopping 494,261 twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs). That’s over 45,000 TEUs more than last year—making it a fantastic 10 percent increase from 2022! It turns out that this October was the third busiest on record for our fine Port of Savannah, trailing only behind the record-breaking years of 2021 and 2022!
However, the GPA President and CEO, Griff Lynch, pointed out that even with the surge in cargo, many customers are still opting to use the U.S. West Coast while contract negotiations are in play. But fear not, because here in Savannah, our terminal velocity is exceptional. Containers are connecting from vessel to rail in just one day—now that’s impressive!
Spotlight on Rail Services
Speaking of impressive, the on-terminal Mason Mega Rail facility is doing wonders for our rail services. This facility works in tandem with the Norfolk Southern and CSX railroads, making it even easier for our customers to transport goods across the country. And it doesn’t stop there! The Appalachian Regional Port also saw record trade in October with an all-time high of 3,666 rail lifts—a neat 4.4 percent increase!
Rolling in the Autos
In addition to the booming container numbers, Colonel’s Island reported handling 68,569 units of Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) cargo this October, bringing the total so far this fiscal year to an impressive 300,647 RoRo units—a solid 10.6 percent boost within the same timeframe.
Going Green at the Port!
Making an Impact
President Lynch emphasized that these initiatives are all about making positive contributions. It’s all in the spirit of being a good neighbor! Plus, Georgia’s ports and inland terminals support a staggering 561,000 jobs within the state every year, helping contribute $33 billion in income and $140 billion in revenue to our local economy. Talk about making a difference!
Investing in Our Future
Looking ahead, the GPA anticipates investing a whopping $4.2 billion over the next ten years to enhance cargo handling capabilities. They aim to keep up with future supply chain requirements, and we’re definitely on board with that! As part of their dedication to community engagement, a generous $6 million will be donated to support a multi-year, local workforce housing initiative near the Port of Savannah.
A Top-Notch State for Business
Let’s not forget that Georgia is officially recognized as the best state in America for infrastructure in 2024 and has been ranked the top state for business for an incredible 11 consecutive years. It’s a great time to be part of Georgia’s thriving business environment!
To sum it all up, Savannah’s Port is doing fantastically well, and the future looks bright! Keep your eyes peeled for more exciting updates as our waterfront continues to flourish!
