That level of trade would be a 14 percent increase over volumes moved through Savannah just three years ago, or an additional 550,000 TEUs. Over the same period, the Authority has increased the annual capacity at the Port of Savannah from 5 million to 5.5 million TEUs.

“Through incredible teamwork from the GPA and the ILA on the docks, to the motor carriers and Class I railroads, and to our partners throughout the supply chain, Georgia has managed to create a powerful hub for commerce that is creating jobs and economic opportunity in every corner of the state,” said GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch.

Lynch said to keep cargo flowing, GPA is adding cranes, container rows, truck gates and intermodal capacity. With the first phase of GPA’s Mason Mega Rail project opening this spring, cargo moved by rail has grown twice as fast as the Authority’s overall three-year growth rate in container trade. Over the first 10 months of the year, intermodal volumes expanded by 30 percent, compared to the same period in 2017. The port handled 427,891 rail containers through October, up 98,835 over volumes from three years ago. The new Mason Mega Rail terminal will double Savannah’s on-port rail capacity to 1 million containers per year.

“Exciting new business opportunities such as the export of the Georgia-made Kia Telluride, and resins produced in Pennsylvania and the Gulf States, as well as the import of cold-treated fresh produce, are driving the increase in trade through our deepwater ports,” said GPA Board Chairman Will McKnight. “The speed and efficiency of our terminal operations, as well as our connectivity via road and rail make Georgia the best choice for reliable supply chain services.”

For the calendar year-to-date through October, the GPA moved 3.88 million TEUs, an increase of 222,800 TEUs or 6 percent, year over year. Total tonnage crossing all GPA terminals reached 32.5 million tons January through October, up 4 percent over 2018, or 1.21 million tons, including containerised, bulk and breakbulk cargo. The Port of Savannah is handling the highest volumes of any container terminal in the U.S. Southeast, moving as many as 8,000 TEUs per ship. In Roll-on/Roll-off cargo, Colonel’s Island Terminal at the Port of Brunswick handled 500,512 units of cars, trucks and tractors from January through October. Ocean Terminal in Savannah added another 37,476 for a total of 537,988 units. Total Ro/Ro trade is up for the year by 3,300 units. Georgia is the second busiest U.S. hub for the import-export of Ro/Ro cargo behind only Baltimore.

‘Recommended Minimum Safety Features for Quay Container Cranes’ is available for download as a PDF here: https://www.pema.org/downloads/.

The original document, published in 2011, and now the fully updated version, draws together the extensive operational and engineering experience of PEMA, ICHCA and TT Club. It addresses the causes of accidents and failures reported worldwide. The paper also calls for a new approach to crane procurement that recognises safety as an integral part of operational decisions to minimise risk of injury to personnel, equipment damage and operational disruption. Founded in 2004, PEMA provides a forum and public voice for the global port equipment and technology sectors. The Association has seen strong growth in recent years, and now has 110 member companies representing all facets of the industry, including crane, equipment and component manufacturers, automation, software and technology providers, consultants and other experts. ICHCA International is the only global association dedicated to the promotion of safety and efficiency in the handling and movement of goods by all modes and throughout the supply chain. TT Club is the international transport and logistics industry’s leading provider of insurance and related risk management services. Established in 1968, the Club’s membership comprises vessel operators, ports and terminals, road, rail and airfreight operators, logistics companies and container lessors.

For a third consecutive time the Port of Richards Bay scored highest for upholding this global maritime regulation for the safety and security of ships, ports, cargo and crew. The Port of Port Elizabeth placed second and Durban took third place.

The ISPS Code was implemented in 2004 by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). It is a comprehensive set of measurements for international security prescribing responsibilities to the government authority, port authority, shipping companies and seafarers. It ensures that preventative measures can be taken in the event that a threat is determined. 

ISPS requires that the port authority provides assurance that all the facilities are protected from any kind of threats which might arise from both land and water. The assessment and review of the port security plan becomes an essential and integral part of developing, updating and implementing the plan. 

TNPA’s Executive Manager for Port Security, Ernest Sigasa, said: “We are extremely proud that all South African ports continue to meet the prescribed security standards to be awarded the internationally recognised ISPS Code certificate. This informs visiting ships that our ports’ security is of the required standard, ensuring they conduct business in a safe and secure environment.”

He said all ports underwent a vigorous audit process over the past year and the certification and audit is conducted every five years by the Department of Transport. 

“Any port that does not meet the stringent targets and strict regulations governed by the International Maritime Organisation would not be allowed to operate or to permit any international trade through their facilities,” he said. 

TNPA works closely with government agencies, shipping companies, terminal operators, seafarers and the entire port community to ensure that its ports uphold the ISPS Code and protect the safety and security of all those who enter its ports. The port authority has various programmes in place to entrench a safety and security culture, including ISO certification programmes, safety talks and symposiums, the ZERO HARM initiative which aims to reduce disabling injuries in the ports, as well as general learnings from incidents that might have occurred in the past.