Georgia port marks 5 millionth vehicle; New Orleans port logs container volume record

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) announced a silver Hyundai Genesis handled by International Auto Processing was the 5 millionth vehicle processed at the Port of Brunswick.
 
International Auto Processing (IAP) began its operation at the port's Colonel's Island Terminal in 1986, with the first shipment comprising 567 Yugos. The terminal is served by CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Railway.

IAP now serves Audi, Bentley, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Volkswagen. Last year, the company handled more than 450,000 vehicles, mostly imports delivered to the six-state Southeast area. Vehicles manufactured in the United States are exported to Europe, Asia, Central and South America.

The Brunswick port now ranks as the nation's busiest for importing new vehicles and the No. 2 U.S. port in total import-export trade.
 
"Over the years, more and more carmakers have seen the value in using Colonel's Island as a gateway to the Southeastern U.S. market, helping IAP and the Port of Brunswick to achieve phenomenal growth over three decades," said IAP President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Miller in a press release.

Meanwhile, the Port of New Orleans set a container volume record last year at 490,526 20-foot equivalent units. Volume increased 8.8 percent year over year.

The addition of new shipping services and an economic uptick helped drive volume at the Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal, port officials said in a press release.

"Strong export markets, primarily for chemical and agriculture products, together with new inbound customers such as Chiquita contributed to record container volumes," said Gary LaGrange, the port's president and CEO.

New Orleans Terminal and Ports America jointly operate the container terminal, which is being expanded. A new Mississippi River Intermodal Terminal is under construction that will result in a modern and efficient intermodal container transfer facility for marine and rail cargo, port officials said. The $25.1 million, 12-acre facility is slated for completion in February 2016.

In addition, the port and New Orleans Terminal are jointly investing $7.9 million in a refrigerated container racking system at the terminal to store more than 600 refrigerated containers simultaneously due to surging demand for refrigerated cargo in New Orleans, primarily imported bananas and exported poultry. Installation is scheduled for completion by year's end.