Georgia ports set container volume record in July

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) in July registered 293,889 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), up 19.2 percent compared with July 2013's total and a new all-time high in container volume, surpassing the previous record set in May by 3,453 units.

"Improved confidence among U.S. retailers, newly added port customers and cargo shifting from the U.S. West Coast to East Coast are all fueling the growing cargo volumes at Georgia's deepwater ports," said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz in a press release.

Since January, the Port of Savannah has averaged 269,688 TEUs per month. The port is served by CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Railway via the Savannah Port Terminal Railroad.

"Our ability to anticipate demand by boosting container handling capacity and efficiency has been instrumental in our success," said GPA Chairman James Walters, adding that a single-operator container terminal and "unmatched interstate and rail access" have helped drive volumes.

Overall, GPA ports handled 2.52 million tons of cargo in July, up 12.8 percent year over year. Containers accounted for 2.14 million tons, up 15.7 percent. The ports also registered 61,860 units of autos and heavy machinery, up 8.5 percent, and 226,493 tons of breakbulk cargo, up 7 percent.