The South Atlantic port reported its seventh consecutive month of record container cargo volumes in September, according to the latest figures from the Georgia Ports Authority.
The Port of Savannah continued its record-setting 2015 in September, growing container volumes 7.3 percent to 317,411 TEUs compared with September 2014, according to the latest figures from the Georgia Ports Authority.
The South Atlantic port’s throughput was the highest ever recorded for the month of September and marked the seventh consecutive month of record volumes for containerized cargo.
GPA also grew roll-on/roll-off cargo volumes 4.6 percent year-over-year to 50,305 units in September.
In terms of total tonnage handled, the GPA increased its throughput by 5 percent to 2.52 million tons for the month. The Port of Brunswick handled 197,366 tons of total cargo, up 3.6 percent from the same month last year, and the Port of Savannah processed the remaining 2.32 million tons, up 5.2 percent.
Several U.S. East Coast ports continue to see increased volumes after shippers diverted cargoes from West Coast ports during contentious labor negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and their employers. Savannah has garnered praise from shippers and carriers alike in recent months for being able to handle the extra traffic with limited congestion or disruption to supply chains.
“We are pleasantly surprised to see volumes remaining above last year’s double digit growth,” said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz, referring to a 12.9 percent year-over-year increase in September 2014. “Last month was the busiest September for container traffic in GPA’s history. We anticipate, at some point this year, to begin seeing throughput leveling off to more normal patterns.”
GPA noted the Port of Savannah’s record volumes have contributed to its ranking as the only U.S. port among the Journal of Commerce’s listing released last week of the top 10 fastest growing ports in the world.
“New customers exposed to services through the Port of Savannah have found that they can reach the fast-growing Southeastern U.S. market more efficiently through Georgia’s deepwater ports,” said GPA Board Chairman James Walters. “Being the only American port to achieve this ranking is testimony to a long-term commitment to customer service.”
“Growing cargo volumes deliver additional jobs and increased investment for Georgia,” he added.
In a speech earlier this week, Foltz announced new infrastructure investments for the Port of Brunswick. The plan calls for more than tripling current investment levels with an additional $152 million in capital expenditures over 10 years to meet growing demand for automotive, breakbulk and bulk cargo service.
Over the past decade, the GPA has spent $46.2 million in infrastructure upgrades at Brunswick terminals.
New investments will include a fourth berth for roll/roll-off cargo at Colonel’s Island Terminal, pending approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin next year.
Brunswick has experienced a cumulative annual growth rate of 12.8 percent in automotive tonnage during the past decade compared to a national port average of 4.5 percent growth, the GPA said. During the recently completed fiscal year, the Port of Brunswick handled 680,414 cars, trucks and tractors, making it the second-largest ro/ro port behind Baltimore.
Colonel’s Island has 696 acres in use, with four on-site auto processors, and 640 acres permitted for expansion.
The GPA is currently preparing 40 paved acres on the south side of the terminal to be ready for new customers.
Fiscal Year 2016 projects include additional earthwork on the south side of Colonel’s Island, the next phase of the Anguilla Junction Rail Yard expansion, the first phase of a berth upgrade at Mayor’s Point, East River Terminal improvements and more upgrades at the agribulk facility on Colonel’s Island.
At Anguilla Junction, the GPA is funding the addition of 8,470 feet of track, a 28 percent increase, to provide a total of 39,039 feet of track. The rail yard is being improved to better handle export automobiles built in Alabama, Tennessee and Indiana.
Another top priority for GPA is securing federal funding for maintenance dredging of the Brunswick shipping channel. The Obama administration has requested $5.8 million for the Army Corps to do the work, but it remains in limbo because Congress has yet to pass an Energy and Water Appropriations bill.
Total tons of cargo moved across GPA’s docks in Brunswick were virtually flat at just under 3.5 million tons during fiscal year 2015, ended June 30.
Bulk cargo reached 1.9 million tons, down 0.2 percent compared to the prior year. Biofuels, however, grew by 28 percent. Peanut pellets improved by 87 percent (for a total of 68,015 tons), while wood pellets were up by 23 percent (to 625,414 tons).
Breakbulk cargo, which includes items such as rolls of paper and linerboard, reached 1.5 million tons, an increase of 0.1 percent.
Port of Savannah continues record run
