The Georgia Ports Authority opened calendar year 2014 with a strong January, achieving gains of 12.5 percent in twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) and 7.3 percent in overall tonnage, compared to January 2013.
"We are encouraged by the strong growth in January that continued a trend that began during the fourth quarter and are hopeful these volumes signal a strengthening U.S. and global economy," Executive Director Curtis J. Foltz said in a GPA news release.
The Port of Savannah moved 259,159 TEUs, up from 230,372 over the same period a year ago. Freight moved across all terminals totaled 2.45 million tons, an increase of 7.3 percent or 166,544 tons compared to the same month in 2013. GPA officials anticipate such growth to continue.
In Brunswick, Colonel’s Island Terminal led GPA terminals to a 6.1 percent increase in automobile and heavy equipment units moved during the fiscal year to date. Including Savannah’s Ocean Terminal, the GPA moved 386,070 units of roll-on/roll-off cargo, up by 22,044 units. Brunswick handled most of those moves, at 372,146 units from July through January.
“Our deepwater ports offer a hub for transportation that is unmatched in the United States,” said Robert Jepson, GPA board chairman. “It’s a place where ocean, road, rail and distribution centers come together to ensure that commerce is handled efficiently, environmentally responsibly and at the lowest cost possible.”
