The Port of Savannah has set a record for container movement, showcasing its critical role in trade.
The Port of Savannah experienced a remarkable February, moving 479,850 TEUs, a 6% increase from last year. Labor agreements ensure stability, while record rail and trucking operations boost efficiency. March continues strong with promising figures, and new vessel schedules aim to further enhance operations. Despite challenges in roll-on/roll-off trade, the GPA remains a leader in shipping and logistics.
The bustling city of Savannah is buzzing with excitement as the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) reported some impressive numbers for container movement in February. The figures have revealed that the GPA moved a whopping 479,850 twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) during the month, marking a robust 6% increase over the same time last year. This increase reflects growing customer trust in the Port of Savannah, a critical hub for trade.
Port operations are not only thriving in terms of capacity but also in terms of labor peace. A six-year agreement was reached between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which guarantees stability for the workforce at the port. This contract is a significant step in ensuring that the Port of Savannah can continue to operate smoothly and efficiently, which is great news for everyone involved in shipping and receiving goods.
Meanwhile, the GPA’s intermodal team has also set a new record for rail moves, achieving 2,246 rail lifts in just 24 hours on February 28. The Mason Mega Rail Terminal in Savannah can now handle an impressive six trains daily, totaling an astounding 42 trains per week. This is no small feat and demonstrates the GPA’s commitment to enhancing intermodal services.
In terms of trucking operations, the last week of February was also a hit! The Garden City Terminal set a record with 78,950 truck gate moves. That’s quite impressive, especially given the volume of goods flowing through the port. On average, single container moves took around 35 minutes, while dual container moves—essentially picking up imports while dropping off exports—took around 54 minutes. Interestingly, dual moves constituted a whopping 85% of February’s container business at the Savannah port.
March has also started off strong for the GPA, with 16,430 truck gate transactions recorded on just one day, March 11. It seems like the momentum from February is carrying over smoothly into the new month, much to the delight of the shipping community.
In a bid to further improve operations, new vessel start times have been agreed upon. Ships will now dock at 6 a.m., 3 p.m., and 9 p.m., reducing turnaround times significantly. The Port of Savannah typically welcomes about 35 vessels each week, but with the rollout of a new lay berth at Ocean Terminal set to begin in May, the port is gearing up to boost its vessel capacity. Utilizing this lay berth will shrink idle dock time from 12 hours down to just 3 hours, allowing for an additional two ships to be handled per week.
And it doesn’t stop there! A second lay berth is scheduled to come online by mid-2026, ensuring that the Port of Savannah remains competitive in the ever-evolving shipping landscape.
Over in Brunswick, the Roll-on/Roll-off trade faced a slight downturn, with the port moving 61,667 units of automobiles and heavy equipment in February, which is a decrease of 10% from the previous year. The Colonel’s Island Terminal also saw a slight dip with 42 vessel calls in February, down three from the same time last year.
As we can see, while there are challenges, the overall performance of the Georgia Ports Authority remains strong. With new contracts, improved efficiencies, and record-breaking moves, the Port of Savannah continues to solidify its status as a leader in the shipping and logistics industry. Here’s to more exciting developments in the months to come!
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