Georgia Ports Authority set cargo, container volume records in FY2013

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) registered a record 27 million tons of cargo in fiscal-year 2013, which ended June 30. On a year-over-year basis, volume rose 2.4 percent.

The authority's ports in Savannah and Brunswick handled 637,000 auto and machinery units, up 11.7 percent, and 2.5 million tons of bulk cargo, up 62 percent. The ports also logged more than 315,000 intermodal containers, setting another fiscal-year record.

Total tonnage growth was driven by gains in a varied cargo mix, including containers, agribulk and breakbulk cargos, such as forest products, autos and machinery, said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz in a press release.

"Not only did the ports authority achieve strong growth across major segments of our business, but the private sector responded with the lease or development of more than 1.1 million square feet of distribution center space," he said. "Of the added space, more than 300,000 square feet is dedicated to cold storage — strengthening Georgia's position in the expanding cold chain logistics market."

New distribution center customers include appliance maker Haier America, medical supplier Dukal and third-party logistics provider OHL, as well as Nordic Logistics, Gulf States Cold Storage, Kent Bicycle, Giumarra International Berry and Huffy Bicycles. In addition, the GPA attracted new export business from automakers Toyota and Nissan, and import vehicle business from Subaru, said Foltz.