The Port of Savannah reported a 14% drop in April container volumes compared to a record-breaking 2025, driven by softer market conditions and last year's tariff-driven front-loading. Despite a 2.5% year-to-date decline, the Georgia Ports Authority continues its $5 billion 10-year expansion plan, including a $1.6 billion renovation at the Ocean Terminal to increase capacity to 1.75 million TEUs annually. The new Gainesville Inland Port, opened May 4, is expected to shift 26,000 containers from truck to rail in its first year. Brunswick remained the nation’s top auto port in 2025, handling 779,000 vehicles and over 53,000 units of heavy machinery.
Georgia Ports Authority reported a 2.5% decline in container volumes through April as softer market conditions and last year’s tariff-driven front-loading weighed on comparisons.
Port of Savannah Reports Decline in Container Volumes
The Port of Savannah handled approximately 4.7 million TEUs during the fiscal year to date, down 118,422 TEUs from the same period last year. In April, Savannah moved 443,650 TEUs, a nearly 14% decline from April 2025, which was the port’s busiest April on record.
“Our customers are managing through a softer market with higher operating costs,” said Georgia Ports President and CEO Griff Lynch. “The Georgia Ports Authority remains focused on delivering capacity for the longer term so when the market changes we are ready to seamlessly absorb their growth.”
Continued Expansion Despite Market Softness
Despite the softer container numbers, GPA is pressing ahead with one of the largest port expansion programs in the country. Its 10-year plan calls for $5 billion in investments, including five new container berths in Savannah and a new Roll-on/Roll-off berth in Brunswick.
Ocean Terminal Renovation Underway
At Savannah’s Ocean Terminal, a nearly $1.6 billion renovation has reached the halfway point. The project is designed to expand the 200-acre terminal’s annual container capacity from 200,000 TEUs to 1.75 million TEUs. Work on the second berth is expected to be completed in June 2026, allowing the terminal to handle two large vessels simultaneously.
Inland Port Opens to Enhance Rail Connectivity
Georgia Ports also opened the Gainesville Inland Port on May 4, adding direct rail service between Northeast Georgia and the Port of Savannah. The $134 million Norfolk Southern-served facility is expected to shift 26,000 containers from truck to rail in its first year, with eventual capacity of up to 200,000 containers annually.
Brunswick RoRo Volumes and Auto Handling
- In Brunswick, RoRo volumes rose 2% in April to 64,305 units, while fiscal year-to-date volumes were down 11.8% to 639,574 units.
- GPA said Brunswick remained the nation’s busiest auto port in 2025, handling 779,000 auto units and more than 53,000 units of heavy machinery.
Leadership Reappointments
The GPA board also reappointed Alec Poitevint as chairman, Chris Womack as vice chairman and Ben Tarbutton III as secretary-treasurer.
Source: gcaptain.com
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
