Georgia Ports Authority’s $1.6 billion redevelopment of Ocean Terminal has surpassed the 60% completion mark, with a 2,650-foot berth now finished and capable of handling large container vessels.
The project will expand Ocean Terminal’s annual capacity from 200,000 twenty-foot equivalent units to 1.75 million TEUs, forming a central component of Georgia Ports’ strategy to add capacity in Savannah ahead of future cargo growth.
The authority plans to keep working smaller vessels at the terminal until the first phase of its container-yard redevelopment is completed in mid-fall 2027. Full completion of the yard is scheduled for the end of 2028.
Berth and gate upgrades advance
“The renovated berth is fully completed and ready for big ships,” GPA Chief Executive Griff Lynch said at the authority’s board meeting Tuesday.
The terminal’s truck gate is fully operational and ultimately will include 12 inbound lanes and six outbound lanes. GPA also funded a $29 million overpass that sends departing trucks directly to U.S. 17 and Interstate 16, avoiding neighborhood streets near the terminal.
Alec Poitevint, chairman of the GPA board, said transforming the 200-acre terminal while continuing port operations represented a major undertaking for the authority, its contractors and other partners.
Part of wider capacity plan
The Ocean Terminal redevelopment is included in GPA’s 10-year port master plan, which calls for approximately $5 billion in capacity investments. The authority plans to add five container berths in Savannah and one roll-on/roll-off berth in Brunswick under the plan.
The investment comes as Savannah recorded volume of 529,523 TEUs in August. Loaded exports totaled 117,242 TEUs, an increase of about 4.2% from a year earlier, while import loads rose 1.5% to 265,859 TEUs, according to GPA.
Canal developments may aid cargo flows
GPA also pointed to improving conditions at the Panama Canal, where stronger September rainfall has raised Gatun Lake water levels. The Panama Canal Authority expects vessel draft limits to increase through November and return to the 50-foot maximum, while adding one Neopanamax booking slot on Sept. 28.
Separately, the Georgia authority noted that some ocean carriers are beginning to test renewed Suez Canal routings for U.S.-bound cargo. GPA said Maersk’s (OTC: AMKBY) MECL service and CMA CGM’s Indamex service are among the offerings involved. Routing between India and Savannah through Suez can cut 10 to 14 days from transit times compared with longer alternatives, the authority said.
GPA will outline its fiscal 2026 performance, infrastructure program and strategic outlook at its Savannah State of the Port event Oct. 14 at the Savannah Convention Center.
Read more articles by Stuart Chirls here.
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