{"id":2544,"date":"2022-03-27T06:39:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-27T11:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awlcorp.com\/?p=2544"},"modified":"2023-05-11T18:55:31","modified_gmt":"2023-05-11T18:55:31","slug":"port-of-savannah-marks-milestone-harbor-deepening-complete","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awlcorp.com\/?p=2544","title":{"rendered":"Port of Savannah marks milestone: Harbor deepening complete"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp speaks at a ceremony marking completion of the Savannah Harbor deepening, Friday, March 25, 2022, in Savannah, Ga. Deepening the Savannah Harbor to 47 feet at mean low water (the average depth at low tide), provides ample draft for vessels carrying 16,000+ twenty-foot equivalent container units, allowing ships to transit the river with more containers each trip and during more hours of the day. (GPA Photo\/Stephen B. Morton)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Project helps accelerate global commerce<\/h2>\n

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SAVANNAH, Ga., March 25, 2022 \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>The Georgia Ports Authority, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Georgia Department of Transportation and dignitaries joined Friday to mark completion of the Savannah Harbor deepening. The project expedites the flow of cargo to and from global destinations by reducing tidal restrictions for mega-ships transiting the Savannah River.<\/p>\n

Georgia exporters now have greater opportunity to move goods overseas, because ships can take on more cargo. Additionally, faster vessel service means the Port of Savannah can handle more ships each year.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a great day for the state of Georgia and for the nation,\u201d said Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. \u201cThe Port of Savannah is the gateway port for our region, and the first choice of businesses serving the U.S. Southeast. Completion of our harbor deepening is a testament to a shared commitment between state and federal partners \u2013 like our previous governors and current and former members of Congress who worked tirelessly to help move this project forward \u2013 to provide the infrastructure our economy needs to thrive. Our collaborative approach to economic development is what makes Georgia the best place to live, work, and raise a family. I also want to thank the Georgia General Assembly for their valued partnership and for backing this project through many legislative sessions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dredging for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project started in September 2015, adding five feet in depth to the shipping channel. Initial feasibility studies for the harbor deepening began in 1997.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter more than 20 years in the making, we are thrilled to mark this accomplishment today,\u201d said Griff Lynch, executive director of the Georgia Ports Authority. \u201cA deeper channel means more than just efficient passage for the largest vessels calling the U.S. East Coast. It means continued opportunity, job growth and prosperity for the people of our state.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to a Corps of Engineers study, the project is expected to net more than $291 million in annual benefits to the nation, or approximately $7.70 for every dollar invested in the project.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Savannah District is proud to partner with the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Georgia Ports Authority in completing the deepening of Savannah Harbor,\u201d said Col. Joseph R. Geary, Commander, Savannah District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. \u201cComplemented by unprecedented remediation efforts, the economic and environmental benefits provided through shipping efficiencies will drive healthy growth in the Southeast for decades to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

Deepening the Savannah Harbor to 47 feet at mean low water (the average depth at low tide), provides ample draft for vessels carrying 16,000+ twenty-foot equivalent container units, allowing ships to transit the river with more containers each trip and during more hours of the day. Along with Savannah\u2019s 7-foot tidal swing, the water is as deep as 54 feet at high tide.<\/p>\n

The deeper water enables ships to load up to approximately 1,000 containers worth of additional cargo, for increased efficiency in vessel transport.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s important to our exporters, because it means Georgia-grown and manufactured goods reach international markets faster,\u201d said Joel Wooten, GPA board chairman. \u201cThe harbor deepening directly complements our overall mission to support growth through global commerce.\u201d<\/p>\n

Georgia\u2019s deepwater ports and inland barge terminals support more than 496,700 jobs throughout the state annually and contribute $29 billion in income, $122 billion in revenue and $3.4 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia\u2019s economy.<\/em><\/p>\n

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