Savannah volume increases 16.7pc October to 273,296 TEU

GEORGIA Ports Authority`s (GPA) has announced record highs in some commodity segments during October, a month that marked a 16.7 per cent year-on-year container volume increase through Savannah to 273,296 TEU.

Overall, tonnage hit a monthly record of 2,347,260 tons, across all GPA ports, an increase of 9.8 per cent year on year. Container volumes for fiscal year 2011 to date show a healthy spike of 20.7 per cent year on year, driven by imports, which were up 14.61 per cent.


GPA executive director Curtis Foltz said the increase is consistent with growth rates since December 2009 and indicate improvements in market conditions affecting both container and auto movements.


"Ocean carriers and beneficial cargo owners are cautiously optimistic about 2011, a position that has improved in the last two months," he said. "They all point to consumer spending during the upcoming holiday season to ultimately determine what happens in 2011. We expect container volumes to be moderate in November through December and then will slowly recover to prior year levels through January and February."


At the Port of Brunswick, the GPA handled 41,063 auto units in October, which is an increase of 61.6 per cent year on year. Agri-bulk handled 104,286 tons at Colonel`s Island Terminal, marking an increase of 36.9 per cent compared to same period year ago.


GPA chairman Alec Poitevint said October`s impressive results can be attributed to a hard-working and efficient work force and the terminal`s infrastructure upgrades. "As larger vessels continue to call on the Port of Savannah, the increased global demand for trade through our ports necessitates the efficiency and additional capacity of a deeper harbour."