Georgia Ports recorded increase rail vargo volumes in January as new infrastructures helped drive capacity.

It said that cargo moved by rail at the Port of Savannah reached 47,132 containers in January, an increase of 10,000 boxes, or 27%.

"Customers 250 miles inland and greater are tapping Savannah as their port of choice for ag exports, manufacturing components and retail goods," said Griff Lynch, president of the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA).

He noted that the investments made in rail capacity have not only increased the number of containers the Port of Savannah can handle each year, but also extended Georgia Ports' reach to new markets that can be served effectively by Garden City Terminal.

GPA put the finishing touches on its US$220 million Mason Mega Rail project last year, providing 24 miles of on-terminal track.

"Areas such as Atlanta, Dallas and Memphis rely on the Port of Savannah to handle import and export goods with speed and efficiency," Lynch said.

"Our improved capacity means businesses across these important markets can grow their trade through Georgia," he added.

Increase in cargo volumes

Meanwhile, GPA said it handled 428,000 twenty-foot equivalent container units in January, an increase of 6,300 containers, or 1.5% compared to the same month last year.

"Our goal is to ensure GPA customers have the necessary port infrastructure capacity and supply chain connectivity to support their long-term growth ambitions in world markets. This is what drives our port master plan investments," said Kent Fountain, chairman of the board at GPA.

GPA recently completed US$1.9 billion in infrastructure improvements and anticipates investing US$4.2 billion in the next 10 years.

At the Port of Brunswick, Colonel's Island Terminal handled 65,400 units of Roll-on/Roll-off cargo in January.

After a strong showing with 51 Ro/Ro vessel calls last month, GPA is on track to handle a record of approximately 800,000 vehicles in Fiscal Year 2024.

The Authority's monthly average for Ro/Ro cargo is 69,000 units for the fiscal year to date, compared to a monthly average of 60,400 units for the same period last fiscal year.