{"id":1727,"date":"2020-06-27T10:25:59","date_gmt":"2020-06-27T15:25:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awlcorp.com\/?p=1727"},"modified":"2023-05-11T18:51:48","modified_gmt":"2023-05-11T18:51:48","slug":"savannah-now-the-top-us-port-for-ag-exports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awlcorp.com\/?p=1727","title":{"rendered":"Savannah now the top US port for ag exports"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Forest products, poultry major commodities<\/h2>\n

SAVANNAH, Ga.,\u00a0<\/strong>June 25, 2020 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0The Port of Savannah\u2019s proximity to major producers, direct access via road and rail, broad global network and responsiveness to customer needs have recently made it the top port in the nation for the export of containerized agricultural goods.<\/p>\n

\u201cAgriculture is a major driver for Georgia\u2019s economy, contributing $74 billion in annual economic benefit and nearly 400,000 jobs across the state,\u201d said Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. \u201cAs this country\u2019s No. 1 port for the export of agricultural products, Savannah provides vital support for the state and nation, helping our farmers reach overseas buyers efficiently.\u201d<\/p>\n

In Calendar Year 2019, agriculture accounted for 60 percent of Savannah\u2019s exports, or more than 843,000 twenty-foot equivalent container units. Forest products such as wood pulp, paper and logs made up the largest category of goods, followed by clay, cotton and poultry.<\/p>\n

For the fiscal year to date (July 2019-May 2020), total loaded exports have increased by 15,500 twenty-foot equivalent container units to 1.33 million TEUs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe production of raw material and agricultural goods, along with their supply chains, have remained strong throughout the pandemic,\u201d said Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Griff Lynch. \u201cThe powerful commitment by the agricultural sector mirrors that of GPA\u2019s employees, the International Longshoremen\u2019s Association and the rest of our maritime logistics community.\u201d<\/p>\n

During the pandemic, GPA has focused on ensuring both chassis and empty containers are available to support the movement of export commodities. Through its association with the South Atlantic Chassis Pool II and the completion of a new on-terminal chassis yard, the Port of Savannah provides customers with access to the largest chassis pool in the Southeast. In addition, GPA\u2019s team has focused on cargo owners and other contacts to ensure a reliable supply of containers.<\/p>\n

On-terminal projects to expand export capacity have continued throughout the crisis, including the Mason Mega Rail, with the first nine of 18 new working tracks complete and two new rail-mounted gantry cranes slated to begin work in July.<\/p>\n

GPA\u2019s inland terminal, the Appalachian Regional Port, has seen increased volumes and export commodities coming from Northwest Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama. At the Port of Savannah, GPA has increased its on-time performance of vessel operations to achieve its best performance in three years.<\/p>\n

\u201cGPA\u2019s laser focus on the seamless flow of export commodities and the impressive growth at the ARP have created new avenues for American farmers to serve international customers,\u201d said GPA Board Chairman Will McKnight.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, June 24, Lynch addressed a webinar of more than 125 ag exporters, members of the Agriculture Transportation Coalition, which advocates on transportation policy as it impacts U.S. farmers. The largest organization of its kind, AgTC members include agriculture exporters and importers, freight forwarders, agriculture trade associations, and the state departments of agriculture.<\/p>\n

Peter Friedmann, executive director of AgTC stated, \u201cFor our members, the cost-effective movement of goods is a key factor in the profitability of farm and processor operations; working with the leadership of the nation\u2019s international gateways, such as Port of Savannah, serves mutual interests of the port and ag exporters in growing cargo volumes. We look forward to expanding these relationships, and appreciate Mr. Lynch\u2019s most effective\u00a0 dialogue with our members this week.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lynch was joined for the question and answer portion of the webinar by GPA Chief Operating Officer Ed McCarthy and Chief Commercial Officer Cliff Pyron.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were pleased to have such a productive discussion with the AgTC members,\u201d Lynch said. \u201cSavannah\u2019s longtime service to commodity exporters and extensive on-terminal infrastructure for refrigerated goods makes GPA a strong partner for the agricultural community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Georgia\u2019s deepwater ports and inland barge terminals support more than 439,000 jobs throughout the state annually and contribute $25 billion in income, $106 billion in revenue and $2.9 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia\u2019s economy. The Port of Savannah handled 8.5 percent of U.S. containerized cargo volume and 10 percent of all U.S. containerized exports in FY2017.<\/em><\/p>\n

For more information, visit gaports.com<\/a>, or contact GPA Chief Communications Officer Robert Morris at (912) 964-3855 or\u00a0<\/strong>corporatecommunications@gaports.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n