ABB 2006/7 | State Profiles | South East region | Georgia | Savannah Georgia container port

Early in 1744 Georgia’s first dock for ocean-going vessels was constructed in Savannah, and British ships delivered goods from Europe and shipped products from Georgia’s colonial farms. More than 260 years later, the Port of Savannah is still a viable and important economic engine in the state. Run by the Georgia Ports Authority, the Port of Savannah consists of the 208-acre Ocean Terminal and the 1,200-acre container facility, the Garden City Terminal. The Ocean Terminal is a secured heavy lift-cargo site, featuring deep water berthing and covered and open storage facilities. The Garden City Terminal is the largest of its kind along the US East and Gulf coasts and provides 24-hour rail switching and 13 super-post Panamax cranes. The Garden City Terminal is only six miles from Interstate 16.

Savannah is the US’s fifth-largest container port and the effect of this dynamic anchorage can be felt as far north as Atlanta with new construction of warehouse and logistic facilities to service traffic to and from the area. Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue’s office announced last fall the construction of a 2 million-square-foot import warehouse near Savannah for the giant US retailer Target Corp.

Port officials say growth at the port is only expected to increase, particularly with China, since the facility is the first major container terminal for cargos passing through the Panama Canal and up the US Eastern coast. Imports from China account for nearly 70% of all trade through the Port of Savannah. Plans are in the works to upgrade the facilities and increase both the efficiency and appeal of shipping into and out of Savannah. State officials are embarking on a $109 million port improvement plan, which includes new cranes and dredging the port to accommodate newer deep-water vessels.

The plan is expected to pay off. “The investment the state of Georgia and the Authority has made in our facilities is paying dividends for our customers,” says Doug J. Marchand, executive director of the Georgia Ports Authority. “We are setting new records and exceeding service levels.” Last year, the facility saw a 12% increase in cargo, handling 1.76 million TEUs (twenty foot equivalent container units). Officials also say the port has room for expansion and neighbouring counties are actively courting both storage and manufacturing facilities. CSX, Norfolk Southern and Georgia Central railroads all serve the Savannah area. CSX currently handles roughly 70% of all container freight service from the Port of Savannah and provides daily service on six intermodal trains.

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