Georgia Ports Authority caps off Mason Mega Rail Terminal

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Friday announced the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has completed the Mason Mega Rail Terminal at the Port of Savannah and now is operating a second set of nine new tracks at the facility.

The terminal — which features a total of 18 new tracks — increases the port’s intermodal capacity by more than 30%, state officials said in a press release.

“The massive new Mason Mega rail yard is coming online at the perfect time to help address the influx of cargo crossing the docks at the Port of Savannah,” Kemp said. “The added rail capacity, along with new container storage on- and off-terminal, are already serving as important tools to resolve the supply chain issues for Georgia and the nation.”

Since Sept. 1, GPA has registered a 60% reduction in the amount of time containers remain at the terminal since major retailers have begun moving cargo off-terminal at a faster pace, state officials said. The improved cargo flow and additional space at the Garden City Terminal has allowed the port to expedite vessel service.

In addition, GPA, CSX and Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) are working in tandem to open temporary container yards to expedite cargo flow at the port. This week, the authority hopes to open its first off-terminal overflow container yard, which is located less than five miles from the port.

“We’re setting up multiple inland locations that will be connected via truck or rail to the port,” said GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch. “We’re working with both CSX and NS to provide inland and off-dock locations to move these long-dwell imports off the facility.”