Ro-ro traffic was also strong, up 12.3% year on year, both new cars and heavy passenger vehicles and heavy rolling equipment handled at Colonel's Island terminal in Brunswick and Ocean Terminal in Savannah. Georgia's deepwater ports moved 63,967 ro-ro units last month.

GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch reported: "Strategic proximity to major population and manufacturing sites, direct interstate access and the most ocean carrier routes in the Us Southeast are the competitive advantages drawing customers to our ports.

"As the largest single-terminal operation in the nation, Savannah's advantages are unmatched in the industry."

In its effort to stay ahead of demand and accommodate future needs, the GPA broke ground last month on its new inland terminal in Northwest Georgia – the Appalachian Regional Port. Port officials estimate the CSX rail route will reduce Atlanta truck traffic by 50,000 moves annually, and expand GPA's target market in Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky. Each container moved by rail from the inland terminal will offset 355 truck miles on Georgia highways.

"GPA's track record of operational excellence over the past decade more than prepares it to achieve great things at the Appalachian Regional Port," said Board Chairman Jimmy Allgood.

"This is the next step in our transition, moving additional cargo to rail, allowing more capacity on our interstates, and extending GPA's competitive benefits farther into the American heartland."

Inland terminal construction is expected to take just under two years, with the start of operations at the ARP targeted for the third quarter of calendar year 2018.

Allgood said the new inland terminal will make goods manufactured within its service region – such as flooring, automobiles and tires – more competitive in the global market, while reducing carbon emissions. The ARP's savings potential has already resulted in companies locating and expanding in Northwest Georgia to take advantage of the inland terminal's future benefits.