Georgia Ports Authority Sees 10% Increase in October Cargo Volumes, Sets Record for Rail Lifts

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) reported a 10 percent increase in cargo volumes for October 2024, handling 494,261 twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs), up by more than 45,000 TEUs compared to the same period last year. This marks the third busiest October on record for the Port of Savannah, following 2021 and 2022, when over half a million TEUs crossed the docks.

Despite these gains, Georgia Ports President and CEO Griff Lynch noted that many customers are still diverting shipments to the U.S. West Coast amid ongoing contract negotiations. However, GPA’s terminal efficiency remains strong, with containers being moved from vessel to rail within a day, supported by the Mason Mega Rail facility that provides rail service through Norfolk Southern and CSX.

The GPA’s performance was further boosted by record trade through the Appalachian Regional Port, which saw 3,666 rail lifts in October, up 4.4 percent. Additionally, Colonel’s Island handled 68,569 units of Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) cargo in October, contributing to a fiscal year-to-date increase of 10.6 percent in RoRo volumes.

For the first four months of fiscal year 2025, GPA has moved 1.9 million TEUs, an increase of 12.3 percent, or 211,320 TEUs, over the same period last year.

In line with sustainability efforts, GPA also received a $46 million Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Ports Port grant to implement electrification infrastructure. The funding will help replace diesel terminal tractors with electric models, create charging infrastructure, and support ships at berth with shore power, reducing diesel engine emissions.

Georgia Ports Chairman Kent Fountain expressed gratitude to the GPA workforce, port partners, and local agencies for their efforts in maintaining the port’s competitiveness and efficiency.