Savannah container volumes hit new peak

   The Port of Savannah handed 293,889 TEU in July, a 19.2-percent increase over the previous year, and an all-time high.
   “Improved confidence among U.S. retailers, newly added port customers, and shifting cargo from U.S. West to East Coast are all fueling the growing cargo volumes at Georgia’s deepwater ports,” said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz. “Savannah has the space to more than double its throughput as more shippers choose East Coast ports to serve the fast-growing Southeastern U.S.”
   In overall trade, 2.52 million tons of cargo moved across GPA docks in July, up 12.8 percent, or 287,600 tons, compared to the same month a year ago.
   GPA moved 61,860 units of autos and heavy machinery, an 8.5-percent increase in roll-on/roll-off cargo, when compared to the same period last year.
   In the broader breakbulk category, throughput reached 226,493 tons, up 7 percent from the 211,638 tons moved last July.
   At East River Terminal in Brunswick, bulk cargo such as wood pellets exported as alternative fuel saw a 12.8-percent increase to reach 63,126 tons.