The Port of Savannah on the East Coast of the United States said cargo movement from India to inland markets such as Atlanta, Chicago, and Dallas is up to eight days faster than West Coast ports.

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) said six weekly vessel services provide direct connections between Savannah and India, while 10 services connect Savannah to the Indian Subcontinent.

Twelve ocean carriers serve Savannah-Indian Subcontinent routes, with ocean transit times as short as 29 days.

 [Source: Georgia Ports Authority]

GPA also noted direct port connections in Hazira, Mumbai/Nhava Sheva, Mundra, and Pipavav. Services also include additional calls within the region, including Colombo, Sri Lanka and Port Qasim, Pakistan.

The Port of Savannah's rapid rail access has enabled GPA's 1-2-3 Strategy, allowing cargo to reach many inland markets within three days: offload from the vessel on the first day, loaded onto rail on the second day, and arriving at the destination on the third day.

Meanwhile, rail dwells in Savannah averages just over one day, compared to a wait time of more than a week between vessel offload and departing train at some other U.S. gateways.

The Port of Savannah’s Mason Mega Rail Terminal is the largest on-terminal rail facility in the Western Hemisphere with an 85-acre rail yard that has 42 trains per week, served by both Class I railroads operating in the Eastern U.S. – Norfolk Southern and CSX.

GPA said top exports via Savannah to India include forest products, resins and rubber, and iron and steel. Top import commodities include textiles, minerals and machinery.