Georgia Ports Authority said traffic at the ports of Savannah and Brunswick proved resilient in 2025.
The port of Savannah saw its second busiest year ever in 2025, handling nearly 5.7 million teu of containerised cargo, an increase of 2.6 percent over 2024. Last year’s performance was second only to 2022, when approximately 5.9 million teu crossed Savannah’s docks.
However, ro-ro traffic at Brunswick hit headwinds through the year, with the port handling 832,194 units of autos and heavy equipment – down approximately 7.5 percent compared to 2024. Heavy equipment accounted for 51,677 units of the total volume in 2025.
However, there were signs of recovery at the very end of 2025, with 74,344 units handled in December – a year-on-year increase of 8.2 percent. Heavy equipment accounted for 2,715 units of the total volume.
Georgia Ports Authority explained that the trade in autos and heavy equipment globally faced several headwinds last year. Manufacturers reduced production and shipment of some vehicles to the USA, while evaluating global manufacturing location changes and target markets. Moreover, during the summer, auto manufacturers paused shipments from factories temporarily closed in Mexico, Europe and Asia. Luxury vehicle exports to China decreased, in part because auto manufacturers faced stiff competition from domestic Chinese producers.
The port is in the midst of a self-financed, USD4.5 billion port and inland infrastructure plan which will add five new container berths in Savannah plus one new ro-ro berth in Brunswick.
