GEORGIA Ports Authority has moved more than two million TEU through the Port of Savannah so far this fiscal year from July 2013 to February 28, an increase of 6.2 per cent.
"The strong growth experienced throughout our business sectors this fiscal year demonstrates the resilience and strength of the southeast market, and a positive return on the continued investments in Georgia's ports, rail, roads and logistical supply chain," said GPA executive director Curtis Foltz.
Mr Foltz expects similar growth through the final quarter of the fiscal year.
In total, the GPA moved 19.2 million tons of cargo in the fiscal year to date, an increase of 7.6 per cent, or 1.3 million tons. Growth across major cargo sectors contributed to the improvement.
Georgia's deepwater ports set a record in February, handling the highest volume of containers ever for a February, at 248,746 TEU, an increase of 2.6 per cent, said Mr Foltz.
Breakbulk increased 8.8 per cent (15,568 tons) last month, for a total of 192,204 tons. Meanwhile, February bulk cargo rose 33 per cent (69,745 tons) year over year to reach 280,477 tons.
The GPA achieved an increase of 5.6 per cent in roll-on/roll-off cargo through February, moving 438,990 automobile and machinery units - up 23,322 units compared to July-February fiscal 2013.
Bulk cargo such as soybeans and wheat rose 6.6 per cent for the fiscal year through February to reach 1.86 million tons - an improvement of 114,868 tons over the same period last year.
In monthly totals, the GPA handled 2.4 million total tons in February, an increase of 5.4 per cent or 122,060 tons.
A state budget for fiscal 2015 will provide an additional US$35 million in funds for the Savannah Harbour Expansion Project which brings the state allocation to $266 million, fulfilling Georgia's portion of the total project costs estimated at $652 million.
"Georgia stands ready to begin the harbour deepening, and we are working with the US Army Corps of Engineers to complete all pre-construction activities allowed," said GPA Board chairman Robert Jepson, once a draft cost-sharing agreement has been signed by both parties and Congress passes the Water Resource Development Act.
This will update the budget amount to the current estimate of $652 million, said Mr Jepson.
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