GPA elects new board, reports Savannah trade surge and Brunswick expansion

The Georgia Ports Authority recorded its busiest April ever for container trade, moving 515,500 TEUs during the month.

The Port of Savannah saw a 17% year-over-year increase, handling 74,500 more TEUs compared to April 2024. April marked the third consecutive month of record container volumes at the Port of Savannah.

Intermodal operations also saw robust growth.

Mason Mega Rail moved over 50,000 containers by rail, up 3,700 lifts—or 8%—from the previous year. This trend suggests a shift of cargo back to the US East and Gulf Coasts.

Meanwhile, the Appalachian Regional Port set a new monthly record with 4,241 rail lifts, marking a significant 49% increase, or 1,400 lifts more than last April.

GPA President and CEO Griff Lynch said that  operations remain steady, with some customers advancing shipments to avoid potential disruptions. He added also that given the recent developments regarding tariffs, there is optimism that the environment will stabilize and cargo will keep flowing through Savannah and Brunswick.

Garden City Terminal processed nearly 480,000 TEUs in February and 534,000 in March. From July 1, 2024, through April 30, 2025, the port has handled 4.8 million TEUs—an 11% increase, or 483,000 more TEUs compared to the same period in fiscal year 2024.

Lynch also informed the board that a new US Customs inspection warehouse is set to open in July 2025 at the Garden City Terminal. Lynch noted that having the inspection site on-terminal helps customers reduce both time and costs by eliminating the need to transport containers off-port for inspection.

Also the Georgia Ports Authority approved the development of a fourth Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro/Ro) berth at the Port of Brunswick’s Colonel’s Island Terminal. The $99.8 million project is slated to begin construction in mid-2025, with completion expected by 2027.

In April, the Port of Brunswick moved nearly 63,000 Ro/Ro units, a decrease of 22% or 17,656 units compared to the same month last year.

The decline followed a surge in March, when manufacturers of automobiles and heavy machinery advanced shipments. That month, GPA handled 91,360 Ro/Ro units—an increase of more than 18%, or 14,000 units year-over-year.

For the fiscal year to date (July 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025), Colonel’s Island Terminal has processed approximately 724,000 units of autos and heavy equipment, representing a 2% increase—or 14,400 additional units—over the same period in FY2024.

The Port of Brunswick led the nation in 2024 as the top Roll-on/Roll-off gateway for autos and heavy equipment, handling over 900,000 units.

With 1,700 acres, Colonel’s Island offers the most expansion space of any U.S. Ro/Ro terminal. GPA has recently completed $262 million in capacity enhancements at the terminal to support this continued growth.

Additionally, on May 2, 2025, GPA completed construction of a new railyard on the terminal’s south side, doubling Brunswick’s rail capacity and significantly strengthening inland connectivity. Over 90% of vehicles moved by rail from the port are U.S.-manufactured exports.

On May 20, the Georgia Ports Authority Board elected new officers to lead the organization, effective July 1. Alec Poitevint was named Chairman, Chris Womack was elected Vice Chairman, and Ben Tarbutton III will serve as Secretary-Treasurer.

Their terms will begin as current Chairman Kent Fountain concludes his two-year tenure at the end of June.

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