GPA Posts 24th Consecutive Month of Growth

The Port of Savannah continued its long-running growth trend in October, moving more container cargo than any other month in its history. 414,000 TEU crossed its docks last month, bringing the year-to-date total to 1.5 million TEU - an increase of eight percent and 113,000 TEU compared to the same period last year.

October also marked the 24th consecutive month of year-over-year growth for the Georgia Ports Authority. "A booming economy, strong consumer confidence and an expanding customer base have resulted in record trade through the Port of Savannah," said GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch. "I would like to congratulate Georgia Ports employees, the International Longshoremen's Association and our other partners in the logistics industry for stepping up to the plate to handle these record volumes."

Lynch also congratulated the International Longshoremen's Association and the ocean carriers for successfully completing a new six-year contract that will allow similar growth to continue.

"Our ports continue to add and grow cargo volumes, creating jobs across Georgia and the Southeast," said GPA Board Chairman Jimmy Allgood. "I would like to personally thank our many customers who rely on the GPA to connect them to the global logistics chain."

Intermodal rail cargo grew by 8.7 percent for the month, compared to October 2017, reflecting one of GPA's biggest logistics advantages - its Class I rail connections to the heartland. For the fiscal year to date, the Port of Savannah has handled 170,000 containers by rail, an increase of or 24 percent compared to the same period a year ago. "We are currently in the process of doubling Savannah's rail lift capacity to 1 million lifts per year to expand our market reach," Lynch said.