THE Port of Savannah's container volume increased 12.9pc to 595,711 TEU in July and August, making a strong start to fiscal 2015, reports the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA).
Both months set individual consecutive TEU records, with 293,889 TEU crossing GPA docks in July and 301,822 TEU in August.
The August number grew by 21,009 TEU or 7.5 per cent year on year. Containers moved by rail also reached record levels in August at 52,711 TEU.
"To accommodate growth at these levels, we are taking the necessary steps to expand capacity now," said GPA executive director Curtis Foltz.
"Improvements, which include additional cranes, operational changes and storage consolidation, will increase annual capacity from 4.5 million to 6.5 million TEU," he said.
Said GPA chairman James Walters: "Increasing capacity means increasing jobs and economic opportunity."
By 2024, Garden City Terminal will feature 30 ship-to-shore cranes, up from the current 22, and 169 rubber tyre gantry (RTG) cranes, Mr Foltz said. The GPA currently deploys 116 RTGs.
Mr Foltz noted that at both of Georgia's deepwater ports in Savannah and Brunswick, there is ample room to grow.
"In Brunswick, we moved more than 674,000 ro-ro units last year, but we have enough land permitted for construction to double our Colonel's Island operation," he said, adding that ro-ro volume was up 7.9 per cent over the same period year on year.
PORTS
03 October 2014 - 20:22
Savannah container volume up 12.9pc to 595,711 TEU in July and August
THE Port of Savannah's container volume increased 12.9pc to 595,711 TEU in July and August, making a strong start to fiscal 2015, reports the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA).
PORTS
03 October 2014 - 20:22
Savannah container volume up 12.9pc to 595,711 TEU in July and August
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