Port of Savannah set container cargo record in October

The Port of Savannah in Georgia moved more container cargo in October — 413,800 20-foot equivalent container units (TEU) — than any other month in its history, port officials announced this week.

Containerized trade at the port increased 8 percent for the fiscal-year to date (July-October), totaling 1.53 million TEU — up 113,000 compared with the same period last year.

"A booming economy, strong consumer confidence and an expanding customer base have resulted in record trade through the Port of Savannah," said Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Griff Lynch.

Last month's performance also marked the 24th straight month of year-over-year growth for the port.

For the fiscal year to date, the Port of Savannah has handled 172,416 containers by rail, an increase of 33,596, or 24 percent compared with the same period a year ago.

"We are currently in the process of doubling Savannah's rail lift capacity to 1 million lifts per year to expand our market reach," Lynch said.