The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has approved contracts totalling US$65.6 million for container yard work at the Port of Savannah's Ocean Terminal, a 200-acre facility just downriver from GPA's main container port.

Griff Lynch, president and CEO of the GPA, said the investment would improve Ocean Terminal's container handling capability.

"We're on track to see greater container capacity by late 2027," he added.

The approval included earth compacting to prepare the site to hold container stacks, removal of a former bridge pier and preliminary utility installation behind the wharf structure.

Previously approved upgrades at Ocean Terminal include the purchase of eight ship-to-shore cranes, refurbishing the wharf structure, and construction of an overpass for direct access to US 17.

When all work is complete, GPA said Ocean Terminal's annual capacity will grow from 300,000 twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) to more than 1.5 million TEUs.

"At Georgia Ports, we never stop investing in the future," said Kent Fountain, chairman of the board of GPA.

"As new and existing port users grow their trade through our terminals, we’re ready to take on additional cargo, providing the world-class service that our customers have come to expect."

Meanwhile, Lynch reported that GPA anticipates a third straight month of growth in March.

"I'd like to thank our local partners in the International Longshoremen's Association and Gateway Terminals, along with our GPA employees for their work moving cargo across our docks with efficient, reliable service," he said.

"With a positive showing in the calendar year to date, Savannah is building momentum toward a stronger second half of Fiscal Year 2024," he added.