Georgia Ports Authority achieves 13% growth

“To accommodate growth at these levels, we are taking the necessary steps to expand capacity now,” said Curtis Foltz, GPA executive director. “Infrastructure improvements, which include additional cranes, operational improvements, and container storage consolidation, will increase annual throughput capacity from 4.5 million to 6.5 million TEUs.” At a recent board meeting, the GPA also approved the latest phase of container storage consolidation, which will add space for additional TEUs on Garden City Terminal. “Increasing our capacity means increasing jobs and economic opportunity,” said James Walters, GPA board chairman. “More cargo moving through our deepwater ports supports growth not only within the transportation sector, but also in the community goods and services supported by logistics industry payrolls.” By 2024, Garden City Terminal will feature some 30 ship-to-shore cranes, up from the current 22, and 169 rubber-tired gantry cranes, Foltz said. The GPA currently employs 116 RTGs to handle shipping containers on terminal. Foltz noted that at both of Georgia’s deepwater ports in Savannah and Brunswick, there is ample room to grow. “In Brunswick, we moved more than 674,000 Ro/Ro units last year, but we have enough land permitted for construction to double our Colonel’s Island operation,” he said. For the first two months of the fiscal year, Brunswick has experienced a 7.9% (3,863-unit) increase in Ro/Ro volumes to reach 57,085 units moved. For more information, go to www.gaports.com.