March 24 - Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) marked strong and sustained growth across all major markets during February 2015, including breakbulk, automobiles and machinery, as well as bulk and containerised freight.

GPA's gateways saw an 11.2 percent year-on-year increase in breakbulk traffic during February to 183,526 tonnes.

In terms of automotive and machinery units, GPA saw 8.9 percent growth in February 2015 - up 4,734 units to reach a total of 57,654. Colonel's Island Terminal in Brunswick led the growth, moving 55,482 ro-ro units. For the fiscal year to date, GPA has moved 464,638 auto and machinery units, up 5.8 percent year-on-year.

The Port of Savannah achieved a 14.2 percent improvement in containerised traffic during February 2015, marking an increase of 35,287 teu; a total of 284,037 teu transited GPA docks. For the fiscal year, GPA has handled 2.32 million teu - a year-on-year increase of 13.7 percent.

GPA has also reported that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been awarded a contract to deepen the port's 18.5-mile (29.8 km) outer harbor to 49 ft (14.9 m) at low tide.

GPA also recently approved a USD10 million investment the construction of a new gate and container depot at Garden City Terminal at the Port of Savannah. USD3.7 million has been earmarked for 50 acres of earthworks at the south side of Colonel's Island at the Port of Brunswick.

It also approved construction of a third phase of the Anguilla Rail Yard in Brunswick. Improvements will include the construction of two additional storage rail tracks of approximately 1.2 km in length, at a total cost of USD2.7 million.

"Georgia's ports are truly firing on all cylinders," said GPA board chairman James Walters. "Our ports are powerful engines, creating economic opportunities throughout the supply chain."

 

Port of Savannah.

 

www.gaports.com