Georgia Ports Authority Approves Major Upgrades at Savannah Container Terminal

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has greenlit contracts worth $65.6 million for container yard work at Savannah’s Ocean Terminal. The 200-acre facility is set to see significant improvements in its container handling capacity by late 2027, according to Griff Lynch, GPA President and CEO.

The approved projects include earth compacting, removal of a former bridge pier, and preliminary utility installation. These improvements will be funded through revenue bonds issued by GPA in 2022.

Prior upgrades at Ocean Terminal encompassed the acquisition of eight ship-to-shore cranes, refurbishing the wharf structure, and constructing an overpass for direct access to US 17. Upon completion, the terminal’s capacity is expected to expand from 300,000 twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) to over 1.5 million TEUs.

The GPA is also expecting to report its third consecutive month of growth in March. The ports of Brunswick and Savannah are set to receive $82.7 million in federal funding for maintenance dredging and harbor improvements following a budget package passed by Congress. The Port of Brunswick will receive nearly $38 million, which will fund the Brunswick Harbor Improvements project and the dredging of the federal waterway to its full authorized depth.

Construction has commenced on a new U.S. Customs inspection facility at the Port of Savannah, which will more than double the size of its current location. The $44.5 million project will upgrade the inspection of dry and refrigerated containers and should be complete by January 2025.

In other developments, the GPA has secured a $15 million federal grant to replace Berths 2 and 3 at East River Terminal at the Port of Brunswick. The current dock infrastructure, which is over 50 years old, will be upgraded to improve safety and capacity for exporting renewable energy sources like wood and peanut pellets.

“At Georgia Ports, we never stop investing in the future,” said GPA Board Chairman Kent Fountain. “As new and existing port users grow their trade through our terminals, we’re ready to take on additional cargo, providing the world-class service that our customers have come to expect.”

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