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5/21/2024
Georgia ports' auto and heavy equipment volumes jumped 44% in April, driven in part by diversions from the Port of Baltimore to the Colonel's Island Terminal in Brunswick, the Georgia Port Authority announced today.
The GPA reported it handled 80,600 units of roll-on/roll-off cargo in April compared to the same month last year. April was the busiest month ever for autos and heavy equipment handled by GPA, port officials said in a press release.
"Asian imports remain strong, but we are also seeing an uptick in vehicle exports, new customers have chosen Georgia Ports, and we have increased capacity for existing customers," said GPA President and CEO Griff Lynch. "Additionally, manufacturers are working to raise dealership stocks from the current 14-day inventories to 30 days worth of vehicles."
The Port of Baltimore began diverting traffic after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed March 26. About 9,000 import vehicles were diverted to Brunswick, as well as another 1,000 units of high/heavy equipment. Heavy machinery exports were up by 500 units compared to GPA’s monthly average of 246 units for fiscal-year 2024, GPA officials said.
"We are expecting the impact of diverted cargo to taper off in June, as the Port of Baltimore works to fully restore service," Lynch said.
For the first three quarters of FY2024 (July 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024), GPA averaged 69,880 units per month in total ro/ro.
CSX and Norfolk Southern Railway serve Colonel's Island Terminal via the Golden Isles Terminal Railroad.