Appalachian Regional Port sets record pace for Q1 of FY2025

 In its second busiest September on record, the Georgia Ports Authority handled 450,700 twenty-foot equivalent container units last month, an increase of 12 percent or approximately 48,000 TEUs, compared to the same month last year.

“In September, we saw front-loading of containers as customers worked to ensure cargo availability ahead of the holiday shopping season,” said GPA President and CEO Griff Lynch. “I’d like to thank our customers for relying on Georgia Ports. With another 375,000 TEUs currently on the water, we’re expecting continued strength in October.”

September import loads totaled 234,630 TEUs in Savannah, up 17 percent or approximately 34,735 TEUs. Export loads were down 8.8 percent or 9,800 TEUs to 101,730 compared to the same month last year.

Lynch noted the opening of Garden City Terminal West in 2024 gives port customers long-term storage options for import or export cargo.  “This 100-acre facility allows cargo owners to set the pace of their supply chains in support of manufacturing or retail,” he said.

The September performance brings the Port of Savannah’stotal fiscal year container volumes to more than 1.4 million TEUs, up 13 percent for the first quarter of FY2025, which began July 1. GPA’s only September with higher volumes came in 2021, when more than 472,000 TEUs crossed the docks at the Port of Savannah.

Lynch noted the truck drivers who serve the ports are key to GPA’s success. On Sept. 19, GPA celebrated National Truck Driver Appreciation Week by handing out safety gloves, bottled water and chicken sandwiches at terminal gates.

Intermodal Rail

The inland terminal at Appalachian Regional Port handled 3,000 containers in September, an increase of 11 percent or 300 boxes. It was a record quarter for the ARP, moving more than 10,000 containers July through September.

Growth of the inland rail yards is supported by the Port of Savannah’s Mason Mega Rail Terminal, North America’s largest on-port rail facility. Mason Mega Rail completed a one-day record of 2,169 containers moved on Oct. 4. As an alternative to an all-truck haul, each round-trip container moved via the ARP offsets 710 truck miles on state highways.

Lynch added that construction on the Blue Ridge Connector in Gainesville is now 23 percent complete. Current activities include dirt work, and the installation of utilities and storm drainage. The inland port is slated to open in 2026.

“We’re focused on the long-term performance of the company and the necessary port and inland infrastructure investment to serve the State of Georgia and the Southeast region efficiently. Our gateway port model and inland product are performing well,” said GPA Board Chairman Kent Fountain.

Roll-on/Roll-off Trade

At the Port of Brunswick, Colonel’s Island Terminal handled 78,430 units of vehicles and high/heavy equipment in September, an increase of 10 percent or nearly 7,000 units compared to September 2023.

Last month, the GPA Board approved the addition of 50 acres of paved vehicle storage at Colonel’s Island to accommodate increasing Ro/Ro trade. The expansion will go online in the summer of 2025, and comes after the recent addition of more than 120 acres. Colonel’s Island still has 200 more acres available for growth.