- The Port of Savannah achieved strong container growth in August 2025, while Georgia Ports launched a new fast-track routing system to improve efficiency.
- Georgia’s ports continue to deliver rising statewide economic impact, supporting over 650,000 jobs and contributing significantly to sales, GDP, and income.
- Major infrastructure projects, including the Ocean Terminal renovation and future Savannah Container Terminal, position Georgia Ports for long-term capacity growth.
In August 2025, the Port of Savannah handled 534,037 TEUs, marking a 9% year-on-year increase and the third-highest month in its history. Year-to-date container volumes reached 1,010,725 TEUs, up 3.2% from the previous year.To further enhance operations, a new fast-track routing process began in September, enabling inbound vessels to temporarily dock at Ocean Terminal before moving to Garden City Terminal. This system reduces idle berth time from up to 15 hours down to just three, improving supply chain velocity and competitiveness.
Vehicle and Machinery Trade in Brunswick
At Brunswick’s Colonels Island Terminal, autos and machinery throughput fell 14.3% year-over-year in August to 63,926 units, and fiscal year-to-date volumes declined 11.8% to 132,918 units.
Economic Contribution of Georgia Ports
According to the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business, port activity supports nearly 651,000 jobs statewide, reflecting a 7% increase compared with fiscal year 2023. Key highlights of the 2024 economic impact include:
- $174 billion in sales, 11% of Georgia’s total (+$3 billion vs. FY2023)
- $77 billion in state GDP, 9% of total (+$5 billion vs. FY2023)
- $43 billion in personal income, 7% of total (+$3 billion vs. FY2023)
These figures underscore the ports’ critical role in strengthening Georgia’s economic growth and competitiveness.
Ocean Terminal Expansion and Long-Term Investments
The Georgia Ports Authority approved $614 million in improvements at Ocean Terminal, including container yard civil works, upgraded berths, expanded truck gates, and a new $29 million overpass.The $1.54 billion project, scheduled for completion in phases through 2028, will allow the 200-acre facility to serve two large container vessels at once. Long-term, GPA plans to invest $4.5 billion in infrastructure over the next decade, including three new berths at the planned Savannah Container Terminal on Hutchinson Island, expected to add 3.5 million TEUs of capacity by the mid-2030s.
Truck Driver Appreciation and Community Engagement
In September 2025, GPA marked National Truck Driver Appreciation Week by providing safety vests and meals to drivers. The Port of Savannah averages more than 14,000 truck moves daily, highlighting the trucking community’s essential role.As part of its broader community commitments, GPA also supports workforce housing initiatives near the ports with a $6 million multi-year investment.
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Source: Georgia Ports Authority
