The Port of Savannah experienced its busiest March ever, handling 534,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) — a 22.5% increase (98,000 TEUs) over the same month last year. This marks the second consecutive monthly record for the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), following February’s 479,850 TEUs.
Driving Forces Behind Growth
GPA President and CEO Griff Lynch attributed this growth to:
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Cargo returning from the U.S. West Coast after resolution of labor disputes.
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Front-loading of shipments by businesses anticipating new tariffs.
Intermodal Cargo Records
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Rail: 52,645 containers moved via rail in March — an all-time record and 17% higher than last March.
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Appalachian Regional Port (ARP): Handled 3,566 containers, up 47% year-on-year, its highest since October 2024.
The Mason Mega Rail Terminal played a key role, maintaining an average rail dwell time of just 22 hours, and running 42 double-stacked trains per week.
Truck Operations and Terminal Fluidity
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333,571 truck turns were recorded in March.
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A weekly gate record was set with 80,505 truck turns in the week ending March 16.
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Average truck turn time: 35 minutes (single move), 55 minutes (dual move).
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Dual moves (drop-off and pick-up in one trip) accounted for 86% of all truck activity, allowing 6–8 trips per day for local truckers.
Enhanced Vessel Operations
To improve speed and flexibility:
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Savannah added three new daily vessel start times (6 a.m., 3 p.m., and 9 p.m.), bringing the total to eight per day.
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From May, Ocean Terminal will serve as a lay berth, reducing ship idle time between moves from 12 hours to just 3.
Customs Upgrade for Faster Clearance
A new $44.5 million U.S. Customs facility at Garden City Terminal — opening by early June — will:
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Double the size of the previous inspection site.
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Provide 400,000 sq. ft. of space for outdoor inspections.
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Host multiple agencies (Customs, USDA, Fish and Wildlife) for on-terminal inspection, saving shippers time and costs.
Positive Investment Climate
According to GPA’s Stacy Watson, January and February 2025 were the most active months for economic interest in the Savannah region in recent years. Across manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics, companies are increasingly evaluating Savannah’s logistics infrastructure for future operations.
With operational efficiency, infrastructure expansion, and continued investment, the Port of Savannah is strengthening its position as the fastest-growing container port on the U.S. East and Gulf coasts, and a critical logistics hub for national and international trade.
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Source: GEORGIA PORTS
