August 26 - While container traffic at the Georgia Ports Authority's (GPA) Port of Savannah exceeded a quarter million teu in July 2010, marking the best month ever in GPA's history and continuing eight consecutive months of double-digit growth, heavy lif

At the Port of Brunswick, the movement of auto and machinery units also averaged double-digit growth for the past eight months. Colonel's Island Terminal moved 35,789 total units in July 2010, which is an 89.3 percent increase compared with July 2009. Breakbulk volume also increased at the Port of Brunswick with Mayor's Point posting a 25.4 percent increase.

GPA executive director Curtis Foltz says: "Our strategic planning has ensured that Georgia's deepwater ports are poised to handle the growth demands necessary to advance economic development and opportunity. Even during the recessionary conditions experienced during the past two years, the GPA has continued to invest for the future to ensure growth can be handled more efficiently than ever. 

"Global demand for vessel space and equipment availability remains strong in most markets with demand outpacing available capacity. However, current projections for continued strong activity into the third quarter are less certain, as we move out of this year's upcoming holiday shopping. We continue to be cautiously optimistic as we plan for upcoming volume and remain well positioned for long-term growth and increased economic gains for our state."