In FY2011 alone, more than 1,500 new port-related jobs and USD295 million in investments were created in the Atlanta region, according to new figures released today by the Georgia Department of Economic Development.
“Elected officials from both sides of the aisle and business leaders from all corners of the state understand the significance the ports have as an economic engine,” Governor Deal said. “The need to maintain the Port of Savannah as a viable, efficient point of entry for international shipping cannot be overstated.”
“Deepening of the Savannah port helps to secure Georgia’s economic future as the capital of the southeast by creating jobs and positioning the state to become the logistics hub of the Western hemisphere,” Reed said. “This project is consistent with President Barack Obama’s focus on improving the nation’s infrastructure and increasing our export capability.”
Over the past 10 years, the Port of Savannah has ranked as the fastest growing container port in the nation, and is now Number 2 in the US for the export of containerised cargo by tonnage.
“The single-most important factor to ensuring future success, creating jobs and maintaining the fastest-growing port in the nation, remains the completion of the Savannah harbor expansion project,” Foltz said.
An expansion of the Panama Canal, due for completion in 2014, will significantly lower the cost per container compared to current Panamax vessels. Delivering decreased cost per container will help lower the bottom line for the 21,000 US businesses that already import or export cargo through Georgia’s ports.
“Ships such as the 8,500-TEU CMA CGM Figaro are already calling on Savannah via the Suez Canal, but they must wait on high tide to enter or exit the harbor,” said Foltz. “With nearly three quarters of the US population served by East Coast ports, it is critical that our infrastructure is ready for these vessels.”
The GPA and the US Army Corps of Engineers are working to deepen the river from its current 42-foot depth to as much as 48-feet in order to more efficiently handle the larger vessels.
More than USD9.5 billion worth of cargo was shipped through the Port of Savannah on behalf of businesses in Metro Atlanta counties, a growth rate of 18% over the previous fiscal year. Georgia has already committed USD134 million to the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project. Governor Deal has proposed another USD46.7 million in his FY2013 budget.
“The national impact of Georgia’s seaports and the jobs they produce are substantial arguments for federal investment in the port deepening,” said GPA Board Chairman Alec Poitevint. “It’s time for our nation’s leaders to truly make supporting US exports a fiscal priority.”