Savannah port project passes 60% complete mark

The Georgia Ports Authority's $1.6 billion redevelopment of Ocean Terminal in Savannah has reached the 60% completion milestone, with a 2,650-foot berth now operational and able to accommodate large container vessels. This expansion will increase the terminal's annual capacity from 200,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to an impressive 1.75 million TEUs, a key part of Georgia Ports' strategy to bolster capacity in Savannah before future cargo growth.

The Authority plans to maintain operations with smaller vessels at the terminal until the first phase of the container-yard redevelopment is finished in mid-fall 2027, with full completion projected for the end of 2028. Additionally, upgrades to the berth and truck gate have been completed, allowing the terminal to handle 12 inbound lanes and six outbound lanes.

The renovated berth is now ready for large ships, as confirmed by GPA Chief Executive Griff Lynch. The truck gate, fully operational, will ultimately feature 12 inbound lanes and six outbound lanes. The $29 million overpass was funded to enable departing trucks to directly access U.S. 17 and Interstate 16, bypassing nearby neighborhood streets.

Alec Poitevint, chairman of the GPA board, emphasized that transforming the 200-acre terminal while maintaining port operations was a significant undertaking for the authority, its contractors, and other partners. This container redevelopment is part of the Georgia Ports Authority's 10-year port master plan, which aims for approximately $5 billion in capacity investments.

Beyond Savannah, the plan includes adding five container berths in Savannah and one roll-on/roll-off berth in Brunswick. The investment follows Savannah's recorded volume of 529,523 TEUs in August, with loaded exports rising by about 4.2% year-over-year and imports up 1.5%. Furthermore, improving conditions at the Panama Canal, including higher water levels due to September rainfall, may aid cargo flows.

The Panama Canal Authority anticipates vessel draft limits to rise through November and return to the 50-foot maximum, adding one Neopanamax booking slot on September 28. Some ocean carriers are testing new Suez Canal routings for U.S.-bound cargo, with Maersk's MECL service and CMA CGM's Indamex service among the offerings.