Georgia ports see volume boost in 2007
Jacksonville's competing container port to the north, the Port of Savannah, said it handled a record 2.6 million TEUs in 2007, a 20.6 percent increase in container volume over 2006.
“As the fourth-largest container port in the nation and the sixth-largest auto port in the nation, we posted another record-breaking year for Georgia’s ports,” said Steve Green, chairman of the board of directors of the Georgia Ports Authority.
He said total tonnage at Colonel Island, the GPA’s roll-on/roll-off and bulk agricultural facility in Brunswick, saw total tonnage increase 13.4 percent from 2006. New customers included the agriculture company Bunge as well as the tony car manufacturers Bentley and Maserati.
During a meeting Monday, GPA directors approved funding to complete two projects in Savannah:
' $10.9 million to complete the Chatham Yard intermodal container transfer facility that will expand rail capacity.
' $4.6 million for 42 additional acres of container storage for the new container berths 8 and 9.