Despite the pandemic which significantly changed the state of the nation last year, it appears much of the economy has held steady and the Georgia Ports Authority can point to some strong numbers. Bettering a churning economy in 2019, Georgia ports actually saw a nearly 2% increase in container units moved last year. In fiscal year 2020, the Port of Savannah alone handled 9.3% of total containerized cargo volume and 10.5% of all containerized exports in the U.S.
“Coming through this year with modest growth is a major accomplishment for Georgia’s ports and our partners throughout the private logistics community,” said Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. “With unmatched terminal operations, superior road and rail connections, and reliable third-party service providers, there are no better run ports in the nation.”
The Port of Savannah actually had its busiest December ever in 2020, an increase of 24% compared to December of 2019. Total cargo crossing all docks was up 12.5% and rail volume was also up 16% (that rail volume data will be something to watch as the Georgia legislature attempts to adjust and enhance the logistics network across the state and pull some tractor-trailers off of the busy interstate system).
“Savannah’s capacity to take on additional trade as well as its diversified cargo portfolio – including ecommerce and strong export markets – helped to drive business gains,” said GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch. “Additionally, a housing boom has translated into strong demand for furniture, appliances and other home goods crossing our docks. We remain optimistic that the conditions for growth will continue, but it is too early to know if the pace of cargo expansion will carry on as it has.”
Georgia exports held steady throughout the year, led by food, forest products, cotton, clay, automotive goods and chemicals. The Appalachian Regional Port, which opened in the summer of 2018 and is an attempt to efficiently ship products by rail to a second hub and inland rail terminal, also saw significant growth, up 73% from 2019. “More customers are seeing the benefit of moving cargo by rail to the ARP, then using shorter truck routes to nearby portions of Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama,” Lynch said.
Atlanta is still the single biggest inland rail market for the Port of Savannah, followed by Memphis. Rail cargo from Savannah is able to make cargo ready for pickup in Memphis within three days of being offloaded from the ship. Cotton, logs, chemicals and machinery are major exports coming from Memphis and auto parts, electronics, furniture and apparel turn it around and head back west to Memphis and another gateway to the Midwest.
Georgia ports and inland terminals continue to be a major source of jobs and industry in Georgia, supporting approximately 500,000 jobs through the state and totaling nearly $30 billion in income, $122 billion in revenue and $3.4 billion in state and local taxes.
