Savannah, GA Terminal Shifting to Containers Only

The Georgia Ports Authority will be remodeling the docks at Port of Savannah’s Ocean Terminal to handle two large container ships simultaneously as the port transforms to a container-only terminal. The decision was made as the number of containers coming into the port continues to grow and intermodal traffic continues to shift away from West Coast gateways.

The 200-acre Ocean Terminal facility has been handling a mix of container ships and breakbulk vessels for nearly 40 years. The authority-approved plan to renovate and realign the docks is part of a larger effort to transform the terminal to an all-container operation and shift most breakbulk cargo to the Port of Brunswick.

The renovation will include rebuilding the docks to accommodate two big ships at once, as well as adding expanded gate facilities and paving. The renovations are slated to start in January of 2023 and will allow for 1.5 million twenty-foot container units in annual capacity upon its completion which is expected in 2026.

“Customers continue to bring new or expanding business to the Port of Savannah, drawn by our global connectivity and the supply chain network that links Savannah to major U.S. markets,” said GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch.

“There has been downward pressure on the total U.S. container trade related to inflation and a shift in consumer spending toward services such as restaurants and travel,” said GPA Board Chairman Joel Wooten. “However, the Port of Savannah continues to outperform relative to the national market.”