Georgia Ports Celebrates 80 Years with Record Growth, Major Upgrades at Savannah Trade Conference
The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) marked its 80th anniversary with a series of major announcements at the 56th annual Georgia International Trade Conference in Savannah. The event brought together more than 400 industry leaders, business partners, and stakeholders to highlight the Port of Savannah’s record-setting growth, strategic infrastructure upgrades, and plans for future expansion.
With container volumes up 784% since 1995 and new developments like the $1.6 billion Ocean Terminal overhaul, GPA continues to position itself as a logistics powerhouse. This year’s conference underscored Georgia’s role as a gateway for global trade, emphasizing faster transits, expanded capacity, and supply chain resilience amid shifting market dynamics.
Highlights from the Georgia International Trade Conference
400+ Industry Leaders Gather to Discuss Maritime Trends
The 56th Georgia International Trade Conference drew a crowd of over 400 stakeholders to explore evolving developments in shipping, port operations, and logistics.
Focus on Global Trade Shifts and Domestic Infrastructure
Topics ranged from international supply chain changes to U.S. port upgrades and the impact of new tariffs, reflecting Georgia Ports’ proactive role in global commerce.
80 Years of Growth: GPA’s Legacy and Economic Impact
From 784% Container Volume Growth to 609,000 Jobs Supported
Since 1995, GPA has grown its container volume to 5.6 million TEUs, representing a 784% increase. Georgia’s ports support more than 609,000 jobs annually, contributing $40 billion in income and $5.3 billion in state and local taxes.
$5.3 Billion in State and Local Tax Contributions
In addition to jobs, GPA’s operations generate substantial tax revenue and foster economic vitality throughout Georgia and the broader Southeast.
Ocean Terminal Transformation and $1.6B Investment
New Lay Berths Coming Online to Alleviate Traffic
A key highlight of the conference was the $1.6 billion redevelopment of Ocean Terminal in Savannah. The newly constructed 1,650-foot lay berth, coming online next month, will allow large vessels to dock and wait before moving to Garden City Terminal, easing traffic congestion.
Container-Focused Facility Boosts Supply Chain Efficiency
Ocean Terminal is transitioning into a 100% container facility. RoRo and bulk cargo operations have been moved to Brunswick, making room for larger container ships and expanding port capacity in phases through 2028.
Savannah and Brunswick: Expansion by the Numbers
Savannah Container Terminal Projected to Reach 9 Million TEUs
GPA has set ambitious targets, planning to grow Savannah’s container handling capacity to 7.5 million TEUs by 2030 and 9 million by 2035. Berths will increase from 7 in 2025 to 12 post-2030.
Brunswick Adds RoRo Capacity and Future Rail Expansion
In Brunswick, 215 acres of new on-terminal land are available for storage. The port’s fourth berth for RoRo ships is set to open in 2027, with expanded rail capacity projected to handle 600,000 units annually by 2030.
Strategic Response to Port Backlogs and Market Volatility
Weather, River Closures, and Recovery Efforts
GPA addressed recent shipping delays caused by winter weather and river closures. Upgrades at Ocean Terminal allowed operations to resume smoothly, with two weekly services returning to the terminal effective May 1.
Garden City Terminal West Opens 100-Acre Storage Facility
Opened in 2024, Garden City Terminal West offers 20,000-container storage capacity. The $200 million facility helps customers adjust supply chain speed and buffer against shifting market conditions.
Georgia’s Role in the Evolving Global Supply Chain
Faster India-to-U.S. Routes via Savannah
Savannah offers faster shipping routes from India compared to West Coast ports: 10–14 days faster via the Suez Canal and 3–5 days faster via the Cape of Good Hope.
Southeast Manufacturing Growth and Population Shifts
Georgia continues to attract manufacturers and residents alike, making it a key logistics hub in the growing Southeastern U.S. GPA is uniquely positioned to support this economic migration.
Looking Ahead: GPA’s Vision for 2030 and Beyond
Terminal Capacity, Berth Expansion, and Rail Integration
By 2030, Savannah will offer expanded yard space for 190,000 containers, 100 truck lanes, and the ability to operate 15 on-dock trains simultaneously. Ocean Terminal will support six big ship calls per week by 2028.
Talmadge Bridge Project and Harbor Deepening Timeline
Planned upgrades to deepen the Savannah harbor and raise the Talmadge Bridge height are on track, with a target completion by 2029, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Transportation.
Conclusion: 80 Years of Progress, a Future of Innovation
As the Georgia Ports Authority looks to the future, its vision includes expanding Savannah’s container capacity to 9 million TEUs by 2035, adding new ship berths, improving rail connections, and completing harbor and bridge infrastructure projects. With ongoing investments and strategic positioning, Georgia is reinforcing its status as a national leader in port efficiency, reliability, and global trade connectivity.
From increased throughput to enhanced inland logistics, the 80th anniversary milestone marks not just a legacy of growth—but a launchpad for the next era of innovation in the U.S. maritime sector.
Lynch also illustrated how GPA is well-positioned for the future with the current container terminal capacity of 5.6 million TEU in Savannah, increasing to 7.5 million TEU in 2030 and 9 million TEU in 2035. Specific highlights are:
Savannah: Garden City Terminal
Ship berths
2025: 7 container berths
2030+: 12 container berths (100% increase)
Yard capacity
2025: 105,000 containers in 2025
2030+: 190,000 (80% increase)
Truck lanes
2025: 53
2030+: 100 lanes (72% increase)
Ondock rail
2025: 10x 10,000’ trains
2030+: 15 x 10,000’ trains (50% increase)
Savannah harbor improvements
Deepening by 5’ and creation of passing zones for ships.
Talmadge Bridge (over the Savannah River)
Raising height above main channel. A partnership with the Georgia Dept. of Transportation, completion date 2029.
Savannah: Ocean Terminal berth capacity
2025: 1 lay berth, serving 1.5 big ships per week (15% increase)
2026: 2 lay berths, serving 3 big ships per week (30% increase)
2027: 1 lay berth, 1 working berth, serving 4.5 big ships per week (45% increase)
2028: 2 working berths, serving 6 big ships per week (60% increase)
Savannah Container Terminal
2030+: 3 big ship berths
Brunswick: Colonel’s Island
2027: Fourth berth opens for RoRo ships.
2030: Rail expansion to 600,000 units per year.
About Georgia Ports
Now in their 80th year of operation, Georgia’s ports and inland terminals support more than 609,000 jobs throughout the state annually, contributing $40 billion in income, $171 billion in revenue and $5.3 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia’s economy. GPA will invest $4.5 billion in the next ten years as part of its port master plan to expand cargo handling capabilities to support future supply chain requirements. $3.2bn has already been invested the last ten years. As part of GPA’s community engagement efforts, $6 million will be donated to communities located near the Port of Savannah to support a multi-year, local workforce housing initiative. GPA sponsored YES+ Program, now in its seventh year trains local high school graduates for port careers. CNBC ranked Georgia #1 in the U.S. for infrastructure in America’s Top States for Business in 2024. Area Development – a site selection news outlet for the U.S., has ranked Georgia as the Top State to Do Business for 11 consecutive years. For further information, visit gaports.com or contact Tom Boyd, Chief Communications Officer, tboyd@gaports.com 912-964-3884.
Article originally posted by Georgia Ports
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