December capped a busy year in containerized trade for the Georgia Ports Authority. Find print quality images here. (Georgia Ports Authority / Stephen B. Morton)

Savannah, Ga. – Jan. 23, 2017 – The Georgia Ports Authority marked 12.3 percent container volume growth in December, moving 292,172 twenty-foot equivalent container units, an increase of 32,099 TEUs compared to December 2015, a record for the GPA.

Roll-on/Roll-off cargo mirrored that growth, with a 12.3 percent increase (7,000 units) in passenger vehicles and heavy equipment handled at Colonel’s Island terminal in Brunswick and Ocean Terminal in Savannah. Georgia’s deepwater ports moved 63,967 Ro/Ro units last month.

Executive Director Griff Lynch reported at the Authority board meeting Monday that several factors led to GPA’s December record growth. “Strategic proximity to major population and manufacturing sites, direct interstate access and the most ocean carrier routes in the U.S. Southeast are the competitive advantages drawing customers to our ports,” Lynch said. “As the largest single-terminal operation in the nation, Savannah’s advantages are unmatched in the industry.”

In its effort to stay ahead of demand and accommodate future needs, the GPA broke ground last month on its new inland terminal in Northwest Georgia – the Appalachian Regional Port. Port officials estimate the CSX rail route will reduce Atlanta truck traffic by 50,000 moves annually, and expand GPA’s target market in Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky. Each container moved by rail from the inland terminal will offset 355 truck miles on Georgia highways.

“GPA’s track record of operational excellence over the past decade more than prepares it to achieve great things at the Appalachian Regional Port,” said Board Chairman Jimmy Allgood. “This is the next step in our transition, moving additional cargo to rail, allowing more capacity on our interstates, and extending GPA’s competitive benefits farther into the American heartland.”

Inland terminal construction is expected to take just under two years, with the start of operations at the ARP targeted for the third quarter of calendar year 2018.

Allgood said the new inland terminal will make goods manufactured within its service region — such as flooring, automobiles and tires — more competitive in the global market, while reducing carbon emissions. The ARP’s savings potential has already resulted in companies locating and expanding in Northwest Georgia to take advantage of the inland terminal’s future benefits.

Allgood began the first GPA Board Meeting of 2017 with a moment of silence for Tom J. Mahoney, Jr. who passed away January 20. Mahoney had served as assistant attorney general for the GPA from 1987 until the time of his death. “For nearly three decades, Tom Mahoney helped steer GPA’s growth and success with his wise counsel, knowledge of maritime issues and love of our ports. He will be missed.”  

In other business:

• The GPA Board approved the purchase of new software to run gate, vessel and rail operations. The system currently in use at GPA has been retired by Navis and replaced by its N4 software. “The new software will have similar functionality, but better engineering and integration,” said Bill Sutton, GPA director of information technology. “Navis’ N4 software now has a successful track record of use in ports across North America.” The software system will be phased in at GPA terminals over an 18-month period.
• The GPA marked its busiest year ever in loaded container traffic in 2016, moving 2.94 million twenty-foot equivalent container units, an increase of 71,083 TEUs over 2015. Total cargo across all terminals reached 31.22 million tons in the year just ended. Counting loaded and empty containers, the Port of Savannah moved 3.64 million TEUs in calendar year 2016. 

Find print-quality images of port operations here. Georgia’s deepwater ports and inland barge terminals support more than 369,000 jobs throughout the state annually and contribute $20.4 billion in income, $84.1 billion in revenue and $2.3 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia’s economy. The Port of Savannah handled 8.2 percent of the U.S. containerized cargo volume and 10.3 percent of all U.S. containerized exports in CY2015. 

For more information, visit gaports.com, or contact GPA Senior Director of Corporate Communications Robert Morris at (912) 964-3855 or rmorris@gaports.com.

Officials from Konecranes and the Georgia Ports Authority commemorated the 1,000th rubber-tired gantry crane produced by the company, and completion of the latest phase of GPA’s electric RTG infrastructure. The eRTGs use 95 percent less diesel than standard RTGs, saving on fuel costs and emissions. Find print quality images here. (Stephen Morton/Georgia Ports Authority)

Savannah, Ga. – Nov. 15, 2016 – At an event commemorating the 1,000^th rubber-tired gantry crane produced by Konecranes, the Georgia Ports Authority announced the completion of the latest phase of its electric RTG infrastructure. 

“We’re excited to expand on our eRTG program, the first of its kind at a North American port,” said GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch. “As part of a decade-long initiative promoting sustainable operations, this technology further establishes GPA’s role as an environmental leader in the logistics industry.”

Electric RTGs use up to 95 percent less diesel fuel than conventional RTGs. GPA is in the process of electrifying its entire fleet, which will number 170 RTGs by 2026. With the completion of Phase 3, 45 out of the current 146 RTGs have been transitioned from diesel to electric power or purchased with electric power capability. The eRTGs currently in operation allow the GPA to avoid the use of approximately 700,000 gallons of diesel per year, for a savings of $2.2 million. 

Once the entire fleet is converted, the Authority will see annual savings of approximately 3 million gallons of diesel. At full build-out the system will lower fuel and maintenance costs by $11 million annually, even after factoring in the purchase of electricity.

Earlier this year, the Environmental Protection Agency highlighted the GPA as “a leading advocate of environmental stewardship,” and granted the Authority its 2016 Clean Air Technology Award. The GPA was one of only six individuals or organizations across the country to receive such recognition. 

“I appreciate how the GPA has worked closely with us to constantly improve our crane design,” said Konecranes Sales and Marketing Director Tuomas Saastamoinen, noting the company delivered its first RTG to the Port of Savannah in 1995.  “It is wonderful to have delivered our 1000th RTG to the GPA in 2016.” 

GPA implemented its electric rubber tired gantry crane program in 2012 as part of a consistent effort to reduce emissions at Garden City Terminal. 

“The GPA’s commitment to sustainable practices is not only good for the environment and quality of life, it’s good for business,” said GPA Board Chairman Jimmy Allgood.

In other projects, the GPA has installed 104 refrigerated container racks – more than any other U.S. terminal – to transition those containers from diesel generators to electricity. Through efforts such as this and electrifying ship-to-shore cranes, the Port of Savannah avoids the use of more than 7.5 million gallons of diesel annually. 

In the area of water quality, the authority preserves 300 acres of natural wetlands in Brunswick, and has established 14 acres of wetlands at the Port of Savannah for its natural filtering capability. The man-made wetlands on Garden City Terminal treat 100 million gallons of storm water annually, protecting the Savannah River. 

The GPA also protects and maintains dozens of old growth oak trees in Savannah and Brunswick. Garden City Terminal features about a dozen trees that are more than 200 years old, two of which arborists estimate are more than 365 years old. 

Find print-quality images of port operations here. Georgia’s deepwater ports and inland barge terminals support more than 369,000 jobs throughout the state annually and contribute $20.4 billion in income, $84.1 billion in revenue and $2.3 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia’s economy. The Port of Savannah handled 8.2 percent of the U.S. containerized cargo volume and 10.3 percent of all U.S. containerized exports in CY2015.

For more information, visit gaports.com, or contact GPA Senior Director of Corporate Communications Robert Morris at (912) 964-3855 or rmorris@gaports.com.

The container ship MSC Kleven sails up river to the Port of Savannah after the Savannah River reopened following Hurricane Matthew in Savannah, Ga., Wednesday, Oct.12, 2016. Nine vessels worked at the Garden City Terminal on Wednesday. Find print quality images here. (Georgia Ports Authority/Stephen B. Morton)

Savannah, Ga. – Oct. 12, 2016 – The Savannah River channel reopened for commercial traffic Wednesday morning at 7 a.m. with 11 vessels transiting the channel by mid-afternoon, nine of which will be worked at Garden City Terminal and two at Ocean Terminal. 

“Georgia’s ports are now fully operational which is a testament to the efforts of countless individuals to ensure our port customers experienced minimal impact,” said Griff Lynch, Executive Director for the Georgia Ports Authority. “We would like to thank our many service providers, port stakeholders, first responders, GPA employees and Governor Nathan Deal’s Office for working around the clock to bring the ports of Brunswick and Savannah back online so quickly.” 

By the end of the day, the Garden City Terminal was working nine vessels, moving nearly 800 containers per hour, with an anticipated 7,800 container moves for the day.

“Of all the ports affected by Hurricane Matthew, the Port of Savannah was hit the hardest,” said U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Amy Beach, Marine Safety Unit Savannah Commander. “I know how vital the Port of Savannah is to the nation, and fully reopening the port was my top priority.”

Because the full force of the storm struck Savannah’s outer harbor, aids to navigation were severely compromised.

“I want to sincerely thank Commander Amy Beach and especially Rear Admiral Scott Buschman for personally interceding to expedite the repairs necessary to restore this channel.” 

Hundreds of GPA employees were on terminals in both Brunswick and Savannah the day after the storm restoring power, working with emergency responders and testing systems to ensure the safe return of thousands of port users.

The gates at Garden City Terminal are projected to process more than 8,500 truck moves today, Wednesday, Oct. 12. That number is expected to grow throughout this week and into next week. Lynch encouraged the local trucking community to take advantage of this Saturday’s regularly scheduled gate hours.

“During peak season, we understand this is a critical time for port users’ supply chain in the U.S. Southeast and Mid-West,” said Lynch. “Everyone involved did a phenomenal job bringing the port back to normal operations.”

As the largest single-terminal container facility in the nation and more than 9,700 feet of contiguous berthing space and 22 ship-to-shore cranes, Savannah was able to quickly recover from the storm with minimal impact to the supply chain.

“Hurricane Matthew demonstrated the ability of our team to rise to the occasion and the incredible resiliency of our ports to efficiently handle large volumes in difficult circumstances,” said Lynch.

Find print-quality images of port operations here. Georgia’s deepwater ports and inland barge terminals support more than 369,000 jobs throughout the state annually and contribute $20.4 billion in income, $84.1 billion in revenue and $2.3 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia’s economy. The Port of Savannah handled 8.2 percent of the U.S. containerized cargo volume and 10.3 percent of all U.S. containerized exports in CY2015.

For more information, visit gaports.com, or contact GPA Senior Director of Corporate Communications Robert Morris at (912) 964-3855 or rmorris@gaports.com.

The Port of Brunswick is the nation’s fastest growing autoport.  With 652 acres of auto processing space available for development, Brunswick is poised for continued expansion. Find print quality images here. (Georgia Ports Authority/Jim Carswell)

Brunswick, Ga. – Oct. 5, 2016 – At the annual State of the Port address hosted by the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce Wednesday, Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Griff Lynch announced a 100-acre expansion of the Colonel’s Island auto terminal, and welcomed Logistec’s announcement of the completion of 221,000 square feet of wood pellet storage at GPA’s East River Terminal.

“The additional 100 acres will allow GPA to grow along with our existing customers, and to attract additional carmakers to the nation’s second busiest auto port,” Lynch said. “This new roll-on/roll-off capacity is part of an initiative to service a growing market, while staying 20 percent ahead of our current demand.” 

Twenty of the 100 acres are paved and in use by Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, while International Auto Processing has leased another 49 acres it will occupy by May 2017. Just last month, the GPA Board of Directors approved the development of a separate 30-acre parcel, which should come online in January. 

“The Port of Brunswick already supports 9,000 jobs in Glynn and its five surrounding counties,” said GPA Board Chairman Jimmy Allgood. “Our efforts to accommodate the demands of auto manufacturers serving the Southeastern U.S. economy will create jobs and business opportunities within this region.”

The long-term plan for Colonel’s Island’s south side, detailed at today’s State of the Port, will eventually add 540 acres in GPA-owned land to the auto processing operation. Another 140 south side acres owned by Mercedes and International Auto Processing brings Brunswick’s total vehicle space to 1,039 acres. “No other autoport in the nation even approaches that capacity,” Lynch said.

Also at the State of the Port, Lynch announced that Logistec, an international terminal operating company, has just opened two new warehouses totaling 221,675 square feet for wood pellet storage along the Brunswick River.

“These modern buildings are a part of Logistec’s commitment to upgrade and expand its dry bulk facilities in Brunswick. Our terminal is ideally suited to biomass cargo handling, and we look forward to working with the Georgia Ports Authority and our customers to meet long-term growth demands,” said Madeleine Paquin, President and CEO of Logistec. “We are committed to doing business here for the long term. With the addition of these warehouses, we can store higher volumes and have increased our throughput capacity.”

The state-of-the-art facilities opened this week are expected to handle more than 600,000 tons of wood pellets annually. The new buildings represent a 101 percent increase in capacity over two previous warehouses that totaled 110,000 square feet.

The wood pellets are a renewable biomass fuel source shipped largely to Northern Europe, where they are used in energy production. The pellets are sourced mainly from the Georgia forestry industry. This improved infrastructure will aid GPA’s efforts to support Georgia’s forest products sector.

In other news:

• Lynch reported that in the past fiscal year, the ports authority completed an 8,700-foot rail expansion at Anguilla Junction, for a total of 39,000 feet of track. The added track will provide greater flexibility and storage capacity to build longer trains carrying exponentially more cargo.
• With a 10-year compound annual growth rate of 11.9 percent, compared to the national CAGR of 2.6 percent (FY2006 to FY2016), Colonel’s Island is the fastest growing autoport in the U.S.
• Fiscal Year 2016 was the fourth straight year that auto volumes in Brunswick topped 600,000 units. Brunswick Ro/Ro units totaled 621,934 in FY2016. Another 41,323 moved via Ocean Terminal in Savannah.
• The Port of Brunswick’s total cargo in FY2016 was 2.8 million tons.
  • Colonel’s Island: 1,753,128
  • East River tonnage: 929,230
  • Mayor’s Point: 161,333

Find print-quality images of port operations here. Georgia’s deepwater ports and inland barge terminals support more than 369,000 jobs throughout the state annually and contribute $20.4 billion in income, $84.1 billion in revenue and $2.3 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia’s economy. The Port of Savannah handled 8.2 percent of the U.S. containerized cargo volume and 10.3 percent of all U.S. containerized exports in CY2015. 

For more information, visit gaports.com, or contact GPA Senior Director of Corporate Communications Robert Morris at (912) 964-3855 or rmorris@gaports.com.