Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Another major US port has reported a new record: In January, the Georgia Ports Authority saw the busiest month ever.

The East Coast hub announced a double-digit growth across all business sectors and a 26 % increase in total tonnage. »With on-terminal efficiencies bolstered by in[ds_preview]terstates within minutes of the port and the fastest westward rail transit in the South Atlantic region, Garden City Terminal provides more reliable, more cost effective freight movement«, said GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch.

It is the third major US port location reporting good volumes at the beginneng of the year. In the last days, the West Coast gateway Los Angeles and the Northwest Seaport Alliance comprising of Seattle and Tacoma announced a successful start of 2017.

Lynch credited those supply chain efficiencies for the record 3 million tons of cargo GPA moved in January, up 623,504 tons compared to the same month a year ago.

Containerized trade saw strong growth, with 331,468 TEU units crossing the docks at the Port of Savannah, up 16.2 %, or 46,167 TEUs. Of that trade, loaded containers accounted for approximately 268,000 TEUs, also a record. The increase in loaded containers contributed to an improvement in container tonnage of 22.1 % (465,710 tons), for a total of 2.57 million tons for the month.

According to the statement, at the Port of Brunswick, bulk cargo more than doubled to 235,802 tons in January, an increase of 125,998 tons. Meanwhile, breakbulk cargo handled at Ocean Terminal in Savannah and at the Mayor‘s Point and Colonel‘s Island terminals in Brunswick grew by 17.7 % to 211,575 tons, an increase of 31,796 tons. Roll-on/Roll-off trade improved by 7 %, with 52,778 units of cars, trucks and tractors moving across GPA docks in January, an increase of 3,389 vehicles compared to last year.

GPA Board Chairman Jimmy Allgood called the development a »phenomenal growth which speaks to the powerful, vibrant economy of Georgia and the Southeastern U.S.«. »As we continue to expand our transportation infrastructure through a deeper harbor, the largest crane fleet of any U.S. terminal, unmatched interstate connections and a mega-terminal for rail, you will see our ports continue to capture market share and bring new business to the state«, he added. The GPA has ambitious plans. Just recently, it announced the sale of land areas for maritime industry settlements.