“Across the logistics industry, focus has centered on GPA’s ability to handle large volume increases with no congestion,” said Executive Director Curtis Foltz. “Georgia has built world-class port facilities, and our customers appreciate service reliability for current and future volumes.”
In his report to the GPA Board, Foltz added that Ocean Terminal, Georgia’s multi-purpose facility in Savannah, nearly doubled its break-bulk cargo in April – expanding at a rate of 96.3% (81,691 tonnes) to reach 166,489 tonnes of break-bulk goods. GPA’s total break-bulk tonnage grew by 38.7% for April (89,946 tonnes) to reach 322,603 tonnes.
“Registering double-digit growth in both Savannah and Brunswick illustrates the depth of support our customers have for Georgia Ports,” said GPA Board Vice Chairman Jimmy Allgood. “The numbers show it; when businesses want to reach important markets in a reliable, cost-effective way, Georgia delivers superior supply chain efficiency.”
In order to maintain excellent service levels, the GPA board approved USD141.8 million in capital improvements with passage of its fiscal year 2016 budget. To upgrade existing assets, the board allocated USD33.4 million to improve power infrastructure for cranes, paving, increased rail capacity and other terminal improvements at the ports of Savannah and Brunswick.
Another USD83.4 million will go toward property development and the purchase of new equipment. Of that, USD33 million will pay for 30 new rubber-tired gantry cranes. The addition of conductor rails to support Savannah’s transition to more efficient electric RTGs will cost USD11.5 million and allow 20 more RTGs to run on electricity instead of diesel.
The board also dedicated USD16.5 million toward the purchase of four new ship-to-shore cranes. The super post-panamax cranes will cost a total of USD48.19 million.
Meanwhile, USD3 million will pay for property development needed for expanding business in general cargo at Savannah’s Ocean Terminal. At Colonel’s Island Terminal in Brunswick, USD5.5 million will go to develop more land to support growing auto volumes.
“Our long-time policy has been to maintain capacity at least 20% above demand through timely infrastructure investments,” Allgood said. “By making these commitments now, GPA will be prepared to handle expanding cargo volumes both now and in the future.”