Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) reported growth in container volumes last month — marking its third busiest April on record after 2021 and 2022.

It said that the Port of Savannah moved 441,000 twenty-foot equivalent  (TEU) container units in April, an increase of 8%, or more than 32,000 TEUs compared to the same month last year.

It was GPA's third busiest April on record after the surge seen during the pandemic.

GPA said import loads reached 211,900 TEUs, up 8.3% or 16,200 TEUs compared to April 2023. Export loads accounted for 122,500 TEUs last month, an increase of 4,235 TEUs or 3.6%.

Busiest month ever for auto

Meanwhile, GPA said last month was its busiest month ever for autos and heavy equipment. In April, it handled a record 80,600 units of Roll-on/Roll-off cargo, an increase of more than 44%, or 24,760 units, compared to the same month last year.

Also, at the May 21 meeting, Board members re-elected Kent Fountain as chairman, Alec Poitevint as vice chairman and Chris Womack as secretary-treasurer to a second term in those positions. The officers were first elected in 2023. Their new terms start July 1.

Griff Lynch, president and CEO of GPA, said several factors are leading to growth at the Port of Brunswick.

"Asian imports remain strong, but we are also seeing an uptick in vehicle exports, new customers have chosen Georgia Ports, and we have increased capacity for existing customers," Lynch said.

"Additionally, manufacturers are working to raise dealership stocks from the current 14-day inventories to 30 days' worth of vehicles," he added.

In addition to organic growth, diversions from the Port of Baltimore increased volumes at Colonel's Island Terminal.

GPA said approximately 9,000 import vehicles and 1,000 units of high/heavy equipment were diverted to Brunswick.

Heavy machinery exports were up by 500 units compared to GPA's monthly average of 246 units for fiscal year 2024.

"We are expecting the impact of diverted cargo to taper off in June as the Port of Baltimore works to fully restore service," Lynch said.

For the first three-quarters of FY2024 (July 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024), GPA averaged 69,880 units per month in total Ro/Ro.