Savannah container volume rises 11%

Savannah container volume rises 11%    The Port of Savannah handled 2.9 million TEUs in its fiscal year ending June 30, an 11 percent increase on the prior fiscal year, the Georgia Ports Authority said Monday.
   Meanwhile, the Port of Brunswick handled more than 465,000 automobiles and machinery units, a 40.1 percent increase, while all of GPA's terminals handled 2.2 million breakbulk tons, a 37.5 percent rise.
   'Heavy volumes throughout the year have been driven by continued market share gains by our ports, modest domestic U.S. recovery and strong global rebound in the BRIC developing nations (Brazil, Russia, India and China),' said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz. 'Our strategic location, logistical advantages including recent capacity expansion continue to make Savannah the southeastern gateway to world markets.'
   Export commodities grew 12 percent, compared to 9 percent growth in imports. Overall, export throughput comprised 53 percent of the GPA's total containerized cargo. The fastest growing export trade lanes were Southern Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe.