Georgia Ports outline rail, sustainability projects to be funded with $120M in federal grants

Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) President and CEO Griff Lynch yesterday detailed how the ports will use the more than $120 million in federal grants it recently received to improve its rail infrastructure, increase sustainability and reduce negative impacts from port operations on neighboring communities. 

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded GPA a $26.5 million grant to support the buildout of a new rail yard needed to handle the growing volume of automobile exports and imports at the Port of Brunswick. GPA and rail partner Genesee & Wyoming Inc. will match the grant with $27.6 million, GPA officials said in a press release. Once completed, the expansion will add nearly 500,000 roll on/roll off units of annual rail capacity.

“Our customers have expressed interest in increased rail capacity for exports of autos and high and heavy machinery. This project is a win-win for all port stakeholders, reducing port impacts on the local community while delivering needed capacity for exports,” Lynch said.

The Maritime Administration awarded GPA $49.8 million to create an on-terminal electricity distribution network fed by GPA-owned generators and substations at the Port of Savannah Garden City terminal. This project will ensure an uninterrupted power supply during natural disasters, protecting temperature-controlled cargo such as food and medicine. It also supports GPA’s initiative to transition from diesel to electric yard equipment, Lynch said. GPA will match the federal grant with $88.2 million.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded GPA $48.7 million to provide shore power at four berths, three in Savannah and one at the Port of Brunswick. GPA will match the grant with $5.4 million. The new electrical infrastructure will help reduce emissions by allowing ocean carriers to shut off engines while at dock. Plug-in power at the berths is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 13,000 tons per year and pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter by 250 tons, GPA officials said.

The EPA grant will also fund 16 new electric terminal jockey trucks and charging infrastructure, which will replace older diesel trucks. These measures will reduce emissions impacting the neighboring communities.