The Georgia Ports Authority reported a record-setting haul of cargo units at the Port of Brunswick in March, an increase of 21 percent over the same month last year. The Colonel Island Terminal handled more than 77,000 units of Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO) cargo, in essence, cargo with wheels. This cargo is handled a little differently than normal TEU containers so certain ports specialize in RO/RO units. The number one port in the nation for RO/RO cargo is the Port of Baltimore.
For those not following the national news closely, the Port of Baltimore has been closed for three weeks now as crews work to dismantle the wreckage from the Key Bridge that collapsed when a container ship rammed into it after losing power. The diversions necessary probably did not impact the March numbers much since the collapse happened on March 26 but April numbers may see a huge increase and whether Baltimore gets back to its former numbers remains to be seen.
“March was the busiest month ever for Ro/Ro cargo in Brunswick, with organic growth and new customers driving increases in both autos and high and heavy equipment,” said Georgia Ports Authority President and CEO Griff Lynch. “Import and export trade has increased as auto makers expanded production and Colonel’s Island processors have captured additional market share in the South Atlantic region.”
This monthly increase is roughly in line with the annual increase since the start of the fiscal year back in July. GPA has seen an increase of 16 percent since then, moving an additional 88,200 units. More than 20 car manufacturers and 17 heavy machinery producers (think Caterpillar or John Deere) use the Port of Brunswick. As the South has seen an increase in car manufacturing over the last two decades – Kia in Georgia, Volkswagen in Chattanooga, and BMW in Spartanburg, just to name a few – it means good roll-on business for the Port of Brunswick. More than 50 ships landed at the Colonel Island Terminal alone in March, up 11 vessels compared to the same month last year. The Port of Baltimore has more than 700 acres dedicated to RO/RO – the Port of Brunswick has more than 600 acres but thanks to a $262 million infrastructure investment, that number is increasing by 122 acres this year and another 300 acres are available for eventual development.
“Brunswick’s terminal capacity, its location just two miles from I-95, and on-terminal rail facilities make it the perfect gateway to serve manufacturers and dealerships across the Southeast,” said GPA Board Chairman Kent Fountain. “The investments we are making will ensure Colonel’s Island has the capacity to meet the demand of the region’s fast-growing population for years to come.”
