The Port of Savannah GA handled 3 million tons of cargo in May 2018, an increase of 8.9% or 247,671 tons compared with the same month a year ago. Total cargo crossing all terminals reached 3.22 million tons.
“Our May numbers reflect strong performances in breakbulk and containerized trade, showing growing global demand for both retail goods and manufacturing inputs,” said Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Griff Lynch.
This was GPA’s busiest May ever and the second-busiest month in the Port of Savannah’s history, moving a total of 361,029 twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs), an increase of 3.1% or 10,924 TEUs. For the fiscal year to date, the Port of Savannah has achieved an 8.3% surge in TEUs (290,422) versus the same period a year ago. Through May, the GPA has moved 3.8 million TEUs.
“The Georgia Ports Authority is on track to have the most successful year in its history, on a number of fronts,” said Jimmy Allgood, GPA board chairman. “Record growth in trade, teamwork and a strong relationship with our local communities and elected officials have helped to put our ports over the top.”
In May, Georgia Gov Nathan Deal signed into law the state budget, which included $35 million for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project. Then the US Army Corps of Engineers recently announced an additional $35 million within its annual work plan for the harbor deepening. That amount, combined with $49 million included in the federal budget for the current fiscal year, totals $84 million.
At the Port of Brunswick, the Colonel’s Island auto port moved 53,638 units of trucks, tractors and cars in May, up 15% or nearly 7,000 units. Including Savannah’s Ocean Terminal, the GPA moved a total of 57,308 roll-on/roll-off units, for an increase of 8.8% over May 2017. In breakbulk cargo, including commodities such as paper and rubber, the GPA handled 258,377 tons of freight, a gain of 14.3% or 32,269 tons.
For more information, visit www.gaports.com.
