Georgia Ports Authority to expand Brunswick's autoport capacity

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has announced plans to increase automotive capacity at the Port of Brunswick by an additional 200,000 units to 1.4 million vehicles.

The $150 million development plan would add a fourth berth at Colonel’s Island, 360,000 square feet of warehousing and 85 acres for auto processing, GPA officials said in a press release.

Located 85 miles south of Savannah, the port is the nation’s second-busiest hub for roll-on/roll-off (ro/ro) cargo, handling 650,000 vehicles and heavy machinery units in 2021, a 10% increase over 2020. Colonel’s Island currently has 355 acres available for expansion.

"Home to more than 20 automaker brands, Colonel's Island is poised to become the Southeast's premier autoport," said GPA Chairman Joel Wooten.

The new berth — which has been approved by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers — will include a concrete deck and system of mooring dolphins, extending ro/ro vessel berthing space to 4,630 feet. Construction is expected to begin at the end of this year and take two years to complete.

Mayor's Point, the port's breakbulk terminal for forest products, will also be upgraded, GPA officials said.

"We're expanding berth and terminal capacity at both Colonel’s Island and Mayor’s Point so that we are ready to take on additional trade," said GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch. “The investments we are making will lay the groundwork for job growth and new opportunity in the Brunswick region.”

GPA also plans to upgrade near-dock storage areas to better accommodate heavy machinery.