Georgia Ports Authority Reports Record Growth

News Summary

The Georgia Ports Authority has announced record growth in container handling, moving 5.7 million twenty-foot equivalent container units, marking an increase of 8.6%. The Port of Savannah experienced significant volume growth with plans for future infrastructure developments, including a $100 million investment aimed at expanding capacity. The ongoing enhancements and expansions aim to address increasing demand while supporting Georgia’s robust economic contributions from its ports.

Savannah, Georgia – The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) reported record growth for Fiscal Year 2025, moving 5.7 million twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs), an increase of 8.6% or 450,000 TEUs compared to the previous fiscal year. This marked the Port of Savannah’s second busiest year on record, only surpassed by the pandemic-impacted fiscal year 2022, where 5.76 million TEUs were handled.

In June 2025, the Port of Savannah moved 410,400 TEUs, averaging over 475,000 TEUs per month throughout the fiscal year. Container volumes have seen further significant growth, with March, April, and May each surpassing 500,000 TEUs.

In parallel, the Port of Brunswick maintained a steady performance, handling 870,775 units of autos and heavy equipment in FY2025, which was unchanged from the previous year.

Future Growth and Infrastructure Developments

The GPA is set to enhance its capacity with the upcoming construction of the $100 million Colonels Island Berth 4, which is aimed at addressing future capacity needs and is scheduled for completion in 2027. Over the past decade, the GPA has invested $3.2 billion in port infrastructure projects and plans to allocate an additional $4.5 billion towards capacity improvements in the next ten years.

Among the planned enhancements are the addition of five big ship berths, marking the most extensive expansion of any U.S. port. Currently, two big ship berths at Ocean Terminal are undergoing upgrades, expected to be operational by 2027-2028, with three more big ship berths projected for the Savannah Container Terminal between 2030 and 2034.

Recent Infrastructure Investments

In FY2025, the GPA completed $470 million in infrastructure projects, including expansions at Brunswick and modifications at the Savannah Garden City Terminal. To further enhance its capabilities, the GPA added eight new ship-to-shore cranes, the largest on the U.S. East Coast, specifically designed for accommodating big ships.

Furthermore, the GPA Board has approved an additional $472 million for new initiatives aimed at improving rail capacity at Brunswick and redeveloping Ocean Terminal.

Economic Impact of Georgia’s Ports

The total annual economic contributions from Georgia’s ports and inland terminals are substantial. They support over 609,000 jobs and generate around $40 billion in income. Furthermore, the ports contribute approximately $171 billion in revenue and $5.3 billion in state and local taxes, demonstrating their critical role in Georgia’s economy.

Growth Outpacing National Trends

The Port of Savannah’s volume has seen a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5% since FYTD 2016, significantly outpacing the overall U.S. container port market’s CAGR of 2.7% during the same timeframe. This consistent growth reaffirms the port’s strategic importance and operational effectiveness in handling increased container traffic.

With the ongoing investments and expansions, the GPA is poised to ensure that Georgia’s ports continue to meet growing demand while supporting significant economic contributions to the state.

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