News Summary
A report by the Georgia Ports Authority reveals a remarkable increase in job growth linked to port activity, contributing over 41,000 new jobs to the state’s economy. The study highlights the ports’ crucial role in sectors like transportation, logistics, and agriculture. Governor Kemp emphasizes Georgia’s top business rankings due to its robust infrastructure. As port activity surges with record TEU movements, the GPA commits to extensive investments to enhance capacity and infrastructure, ensuring ongoing economic benefits for the state and nation.
Savannah, Georgia – In a report released by the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), the state saw a remarkable 7% increase in job growth directly related to port activity during the fiscal year 2024. This translates to an addition of 41,770 jobs, bringing the total number of jobs supported by trade through Georgia’s ports to 650,965 across the state. Notably, the jobs tied to port activity now account for 12% of the overall employment in Georgia.
This study, conducted by the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business, underscored the significant economic impact that Georgia’s ports have on various sectors, including transportation, logistics, manufacturing, agriculture, and forestry. Governor Brian Kemp reinforced this message, emphasizing that Georgia has been recognized as the No. 1 state for business for more than a decade, largely due to its robust infrastructure, which prominently includes its ports.
The top commodities exported from Georgia’s ports in fiscal year 2024 comprised forest products, food, and automotive cargo, while machinery, retail goods, and furniture topped the list of imports. This diverse trade underscores the state’s critical role in domestic and international commerce.
In terms of overall port activity, the GPA reported a significant milestone, having moved 5.7 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in fiscal year 2025, which marks an increase of 8.6% from the previous year. The Port of Savannah, one of the most crucial ports in the region, experienced its second busiest year on record by handling 410,400 TEUs in June alone and averaging over 475,000 TEUs each month throughout the fiscal year. Noteworthy months such as March, April, and May each surpassed 500,000 TEUs in volume at this vital port.
The Port of Brunswick also made headlines, managing 870,775 units of automobiles and heavy equipment, which matched its record set in the previous fiscal year. Such impressive numbers highlight the efficiency and capacity of Georgia’s port system in meeting both export and import demands.
Infrastructure development remains a priority for the GPA, as evidenced by their completion of $470 million in infrastructure projects during fiscal year 2025. This includes the installation of new ship-to-shore cranes in Savannah and the expansion of storage capabilities at Brunswick. Future projects are already in the pipeline, including a planned $100 million berth at Brunswick’s Colonels Island Terminal, set to open in 2027 to accommodate anticipated growth in trade.
Looking ahead, the GPA has set ambitious goals that include a total of $4.5 billion in planned investments over the next decade aimed at enhancing capacity. Additionally, the redevelopment of Savannah’s Ocean Terminal is underway, with an objective to increase annual capacity by 1.5 million TEUs and alleviate local traffic congestion.
The economic ramifications of trade facilitated through Georgia’s ports are profound, generating approximately $10 billion in federal taxes, along with $3 billion each in state and local taxes annually. This robust financial contribution further underscores the strategic importance of the state’s ports to not only Georgia’s economy but also the broader national context.
As the GPA continues to enhance its operations and infrastructure, its pivotal role in employment growth, state commerce, and the overall economy remains clear, setting the stage for future advancements and ongoing support for the workforce linked to this vital sector.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- WJCL: Georgia Ports Economic Impact
- Wikipedia: Port
- The Trucker: Georgia Ports Economic Impact
- Google Search: Georgia Ports Economic Impact
- Grice Connect: Port of Savannah Year Record
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Freight
- WTOC: Georgia Ports Ocean Terminal
- Google Scholar: Georgia Ports
- Savannah Now: Georgia’s Ports Growth
- Google News: Georgia Ports Authority
Author: STAFF HERE AUGUSTA WRITER
AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
