GPA determined to reach 12M TEU capacity by 2030

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) is gearing up for substantial growth with new projects set to double berth capacity and enhance yard, gate, and rail facilities, all aimed at boosting landside efficiency.

With more than US$4.5B in infrastructure projects planned in port and intermodal infrastructure over the next decade, Georgia Ports wants to transitioning from a 7.0 million TEU capacity port to 12 million TEU.

Speaking at the port authority’s 55th annual 2024 Georgia International Trade Conference, Georgia Ports President and CEO Griff Lynch said four key components were crucial for a successful port operation: berth space, yard capacity, trucking gate fluidity and intermodal connectivity.

“We are always focused on growth. We want to go above and beyond to build a port that handles both future growth and supply chain disruption. We are creating a safe, trusted harbor for your cargo. Leadership is being able to see what’s coming and staying ahead of it,” Lynch said during his opening keynote address.

The port authority recently announced the renovation of Ocean Terminal in Savannah, scheduled to start in 2027, and be completed by 2028, transforming the current three small berth facility into two big ship berths. A new $29 million exit ramp for truckers (financed by GPA) direct to the highway will mean no traffic lights from Ocean Terminal in Savannah all the way to Atlanta.

The Talmadge River bridge over the Savannah River will be heightened by the Georgia Department of Transportation by 2028 to allow larger container ships into the port. The future Savannah Container Terminal on Hutchison Island is now in the permitting phase and will create three new big ship berths when completed. These ship berth improvements combined with the recent Garden City Terminal berth one project (which opened in 2023) will deliver a total of 12 big ship berths, representing a 100% increase in big ship berth capacity over the next six years, the port authority said.

Growth trends

One key focus topic of the conference was India, with discussions centered around the Indian government’s significant investments in port and transportation infrastructure aimed at attracting foreign direct investment, enhancing supply chains, and preparing for future growth. With India’s population surpassing China’s in 2023, numerous companies like Apple, Walmart, Samsung, Tesla, and others are expanding their operations in the country.

GPA said that four services a week connect India with Savannah and eight services a week connect the Indian Subcontinent. Even with vessel diversions around Africa, Georgia Ports is 3-5 days faster than U.S. West Coast ports, the port authority added.

Other key trends driving the anticipated growth include demographics, manufacturing and sourcing trends.

Georgia’s population surged in 2022, growing three times faster than the U.S. population, which is expected to fuel further demand growth. Furthermore, there is a rising number of companies that are targeting the Southeast and U.S. Gulf as an attractive place to expand distribution centers.

In addition, GPA said that manufacturing shift trend has seen the State of Georgia attract companies investing in new manufacturing sites and distribution centers. One of such branches has been automotive manufacturing. Hyundai’s new Metaplant in Georgia, is a $10 billion total investment (including suppliers) – and is set to generate 15,000 new jobs.

According to GPA, Hyundai is pleased with the speed of the construction at the plant, with the first cars scheduled to roll-off the assembly line ahead of schedule in October 2024. As informed, the site has attracted an entire automotive logistics ecosystem to the state with 17 Hyundai suppliers selecting and building sites.