PORT SETS NEW CONTAINER RECORD IN OCTOBER: For the first time in its history, the Georgia Ports Authority topped 200,000 containers moved in the month of October, GPA Executive Director Doug Marchand told his board of directors Monday.

The increased volume was handled without delays at the gates or terminals, he said.

October is the peak month for container volume because imports of holiday-related goods are at their highest.

In fiscal 2006, imports accounted for 53 percent of goods moving through the port, while exports accounted for the other 47 percent.

"In terms of imports and exports, we are the most balanced port in North America," said GPA Chief Operating Officer Curtis Foltz.

In other port business, Marchand reported:

--An additional 15 rubber tire gantry cranes are expected to come online in July, and four new ship-to-shore cranes should arrive by May 2008.

--The Port of Brunswick's Colonel's Island Terminal handled 31,914 vehicles and pieces of heavy machinery in October, a 15.7 percent increase over the same period last year. Hyundai and Kia imports and Mercedes exports led the gains.

--Total tonnage handled at GPA reached 1.79 million tons, a 10 percent increase over last October and the second-highest monthly tonnage reported by the Authority.

--Bulk tonnage for October was up 107 percent, thanks to larger-than-expected increases in anhydrous ammonia and asphalt in Savannah and soybeans, soybean meal and peanut hulls in Brunswick.

--Intermodal rail traffic at the Garden City Terminal in Savannah continued to experience double-digit gains, with a 14.8 percent growth rate for October.

--Marie Roberts, GPA director of finance, reported October revenues of $17.2 million with variable expenses of $10.2 million produced a net income after depreciation of $5.2 million, beating budget expectations by $1.6 million.