ports

Georgia Ports Face Headwinds From Cost Pressures, Softer Demand

The Port of Savannah handled 4.7 million TEUs during the July-April fiscal year, down 2.5% from the prior period. April volumes fell sharply to 443,650 TEUs, a 14% decline year-over-year as the market softened following last year's tariff-driven surge. Georgia Ports Authority CEO Griff Lynch cited elevated operating costs pressuring customers. The authority is pressing ahead with a $5 billion, 10-year expansion targeting 54% growth, including five new container berths at Savannah. The Port of Brunswick, the nation's busiest auto import gateway, processed 64,305 vehicles in April, up 2%, though fiscal year volumes fell 11.8% to 639,574 units. The GPA opened its $134 million Gainesville Inland Port in May, offering direct Norfolk Southern rail service to Savannah. The facility is projected to shift 26,000 containers from truck to rail annually. Ocean Terminal renovations at Savannah have reached the halfway completion mark on a broader capacity upgrade.