Port news from PANYNJ and Georgia Ports Authority

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) posted a 10.6% increase in 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in February compared to last year, reaching a total volume of 699,240 TEUs. Imports rose by 7.4% in February from last year, totaling 356,918 TEUs, and exports increased by 5.6% for a total of 107,335 TEUs. A total of 53,673 containers were moved by rail in February at PANYNJ, a 1.4% increase from last year’s total. PANYNJ reported a strong month for autos, totaling 26,210, or a 32.6% increase from February last year.

The Port of Savannah in Georgia, increased its container trade by 22.5% to 98,000 TEUS in March compared to last year ago. The port also reported a monthly record of 52,645 containers moved by rail, a 17% increase over March 2024. The Georgia Ports Authority handled a total of 534,000 TEUs in March, for the second monthly record in a row. The rate of growth was largely due to cargo returning to the Southeast from the U.S. West Coast after the completion of labor contract negotiations and customers front-loading orders to avoid new tariffs, port authority president and CEO Griff Lynch said in a press release.

The Port of Brunswick in Georgia, set a record in auto movement, with an all-time high of 91,360 units of roll-on/roll-off cargo in March, up 18% compared to March 2024. To better handle growing traffic, the port is adding a new rail yard to the south side of Colonel’s Island Terminal. Phase I of the construction is expected to be completed in May, port officials said in a press release. The addition will increase the port’s annual rail capacity from 150,000 autos to more than 340,000. Phase II of construction will bring rail capacity to 590,000 units. The increased capacity will allow for more inland routings, Port Authority President and CEO Griff Lynch said. More than 90% of vehicles moving by rail in Brunswick are U.S.-made exports.