The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) is riding a wave of momentum, reporting a robust 2.8 million TEUs handled in fiscal year-to-date 2025 (July 1 – Dec. 31), marking an 11.4% increase. The Port of Savannah alone contributed nearly 300,000 additional TEUs to this impressive growth. In December, the port handled 442,000 TEUs, up 4.7% from the previous year, extending a twelve-month streak of year-over-year gains.
“We’ve seen twelve consecutive months of year-over-year container volume growth and we’re on track for a strong fiscal year that ends June 30th, 2025,” said Griff Lynch, President and CEO of Georgia Ports Authority.
The Appalachian Regional Port (ARP) played a key role in GPA’s performance, posting a 13.5% increase in fiscal year-to-date volumes, adding 4,368 TEUs. December alone saw a 20.6% jump, handling 6,084 TEUs.
Adding to GPA’s expansion, the Garden City West Terminal storage yard is set to finalize its cars-in-containers project by February 2025 as cargo shifts to RoRo service at the Port of Brunswick. Meanwhile, four new ship-to-shore cranes from Konecranes arrived on January 25, further strengthening Savannah’s terminal operations.
Beyond Savannah, GPA is making significant infrastructure investments. The Blue Ridge Connector, a future inland port in Gainesville, GA, is now 50% complete and slated to open in 2026, catering to one of the fastest-growing regions. Another notable project is a $40 million expansion of the U.S. Customs inspection facility at Garden City Terminal, doubling its size and set to open in March 2025. Additionally, the Savannah Container Terminal is progressing through the permit phase, a crucial step for future growth.
Port of Brunswick: Ro/Ro Cargo Gains Ground
Brunswick continues to solidify its position as a major Ro/Ro hub, handling 443,763 units of autos and heavy equipment in fiscal year-to-date 2025, a 7.5% increase over the previous period. However, December’s volumes saw a 7% dip, handling 69,000 units.
GPA invested heavily in Brunswick last year, completing $262 million in upgrades, including new warehousing, processing spaces, and 122 acres of additional Ro/Ro cargo storage. Ongoing projects include a new railyard at Colonel’s Island and a fourth Ro/Ro berth currently in the engineering phase. The port also welcomed the opening of Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s new Southeast hub on January 21, 2025, further enhancing its capacity.
Bulk Cargo on the Rise
Mayor’s Point Terminal in Brunswick posted a substantial 33.8% increase in December, handling 22,500 tons. Fiscal year-to-date, throughput surged 61.4%, reaching 164,700 tons. Meanwhile, East River Terminal & Lanier Dock saw an extraordinary 189.1% jump in December, driving overall bulk cargo growth to 44.9% in FYTD2025. The primary drivers? A surge in wood pellet and peanut pellet exports.
“We continue to focus our infrastructure renovation efforts on getting all our facilities into top shape for customers and their long-term needs,” said Kent Fountain, Chairman of the Georgia Ports Board. He also credited GPA’s success to strong collaboration with customers, trucking companies, Gateway Terminals, and the International Longshoremen’s Association.
