The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) welcomed the arrival of four massive ship-to-shore cranes from Finland at the Port of Savannah's Garden City Terminal bring the total number of quayside gantries to 30.
"To see these massive new cranes arrive flying the Stars and Stripes makes us proud to be part of an operation that provides jobs and opportunity for so many," said Georgia Ports Authority executive director Gruff Lynch, as the Konecranes arrived.
"This investment, totalling US$47 million, will help bring in more business and support more jobs, not only for Georgia but for the entire Southeast United States," he said.
Six additional cranes will arrive in 2020. When all are commissioned, the upgrade will allow the nation's largest single container facility to move nearly 1,300 containers per hour, said a GPA statement. "As the year draws to a close and we reflect on all the success we've enjoyed, we also look forward to the new era of prosperity these cranes will help usher in," said GPA chairman Jimmy Allgood. "Our considerable investments today ensure Georgia's ports reputation for excellence."
GPA chief operating officer Ed McCarthy said the effect of the new cranes will be multiplied by other infrastructure improvements, including the Mason Mega Rail Terminal that will double the port's rail lift capacity to one million container lifts a year and extends its reach into the Midwest.
