Port of Savannah has record month

Port of Savannah has record month    The Georgia Ports Authority said its terminals handled a record 2.3 million tons of cargo in October, 9.8 percent more than last October.

Foltz

   'This increase is consistent with growth rates that have been experienced since December 2009 and indicates ongoing improvements in overall market conditions,' said Executive Director Curtis J. Foltz. 'Many commodity groups reported increases during October with records set in container volume at Garden City and automobile activity at Colonel's Island.'
   The Port of Savannah's Garden City Terminal handled a record 273,296 TEUs last month, 16.7 percent more than in October 2009. The Port of Brunswick handled 41,063 auto units in October, which is a 61.6 percent increase compared with October 2009.
   'Ocean carriers and beneficial cargo owners are 'cautiously optimistic' about 2011, a position that has improved in the last two months,' Foltz said. 'They all point to consumer spending during the upcoming holiday season to ultimately determine what happens in 2011. We expect container volumes at Garden City to be moderate in November through December and then will slowly recover to prior year levels through January and February.'