Georgia Ports Authority to expedite capacity expansion

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) yesterday announced intentions to expedite the completion of 1.6 million 20-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) in additional annual terminal capacity.

By January 2022, GPA will open 670,000 TEUs of new annual capacity at the Garden City Terminal. Another 155,000 TEUs in additional terminal capacity will be available in March, with another 850,000 TEUs in capacity added in June. The projects are expected to create a 25% increase of total capacity in six months, GPA officials said in a press release.

Also yesterday, the authority's board approved a $24.4 million purchase of nine electric-powered gantry cranes that will support the expansion.

The Port of Savannah logged an 8.7% increase in TEUs in October over last year, totaling 504,350 TEUs for the month and setting a new record. The previous record was 498,000 TEUs set in March.

Off-terminal, GPA is growing by another half-million TEUs in annual capacity by expanding inland port space to include flexible "pop-up" container yards near manufacturing and distribution centers. GPA opened the yards in partnership with CSX and Norfolk Southern Railway and regional property owners.

"After our busiest month ever in October, this new container space is coming online just in time,” said GPA Chairman Joel Wooten. “By expediting the projects needed to ensure the free flow of cargo, we’re addressing our customers’ concerns today and working to re-establish our longtime practice of keeping capacity 20% above current demand."