Port of Savannah achieves busiest February on record
The Georgia Ports Authority achieved its busiest February on record, handling 479,850 twenty-foot equivalent container units, marking a six percent increase over the same month last year.
“This strong performance is a testament to the trust our customers place in the Port of Savannah as their gateway to the US Southeast,” said GPA president and CEO Griff Lynch. He also commended the International Longshoremen’s Association and the US Maritime Alliance for securing a six-year labour contract, ensuring stability for the industry.
Record Rail and Truck Gate Operations
GPA’s intermodal operations set a new record on February 28, completing 2,246 rail lifts within 24 hours. The Port of Savannah’s Mason Mega Rail Terminal now processes six trains per day, or 42 per week, with an industry-leading dwell time of 19 to 24 hours from vessel offloading to rail departure.
Despite the high cargo volumes, the port maintained fluid operations. Garden City Terminal set a new record for weekly truck gate moves, processing 78,950 transactions in the last week of February.
“We were able to accommodate the increased trade while maintaining excellent service for our motor carriers and customers,” said GPA chief operating officer Ed McCarthy. Single container moves averaged 35 minutes, while dual container moves—where drivers deliver an export and pick up an import—averaged 54 minutes. These dual transactions accounted for 85 percent of Savannah’s container traffic in February, enhancing overall efficiency.
March also saw continued strong performance, with Garden City Terminal setting a single-day truck gate record of 16,430 transactions on March 11.
Reducing Vessel Idle Time at Berth
To further improve efficiency, Gateway Terminals and the local ILA introduced three new vessel start times—6 a.m., 3 p.m., and 9 p.m.—to accelerate cargo movement.
“This will make a big difference in turning ships around faster,” Lynch stated. “With eight total start times and 24-hour vessel service, crane operators and ILA crews will move containers more quickly, reducing the time ships spend at dock.”
Additionally, the Port of Savannah will enhance vessel capacity with a new lay berth at Ocean Terminal, set to open in May. By staging vessels at Ocean Terminal before docking at Garden City Terminal, berth transition times will be reduced by up to 75 percent—from 12 hours to just three. This improvement will allow the port to handle approximately two additional ships per week, or 100 more vessels annually. A second lay berth is scheduled to become operational by mid-2026, further expanding capacity.
Roll-on/Roll-off Activity at the Port of Brunswick
In February, the Port of Brunswick handled 61,667 units of autos and heavy equipment, a 10 percent decrease compared to the same month in the previous year. Colonel’s Island Terminal processed 42 vessel calls, three fewer than in February 2024.
As Georgia’s ports continue to expand their capacity and enhance operational efficiency, they remain a key hub for trade in the US Southeast, supporting both regional and national economic growth.
For more information visit www.gaports.com
