{"id":560,"date":"2017-01-24T09:41:52","date_gmt":"2017-01-24T14:41:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awlcorp.com\/?p=560"},"modified":"2017-01-24T09:41:52","modified_gmt":"2017-01-24T14:41:52","slug":"gpa-achieves-record-double-digit-growth-december","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awlcorp.com\/?p=560","title":{"rendered":"GPA ACHIEVES RECORD, DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH IN DECEMBER"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"GPA<\/div>\n

GPA ACHIEVES RECORD, DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH IN DECEMBER<\/h1>\n

INLAND TERMINAL BREAKS GROUND<\/h2>\n

Monday, January 23, 2017\/<\/span>Categories: Ro\/Ro Cargo<\/a>, Container Cargo<\/a>, Economic Impact<\/a>, Logistics<\/a>, Port of Savannah<\/a>, Port of Brunswick<\/a>, Site Selection<\/a>, Press Release<\/a><\/p>\n

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December capped a busy year in containerized trade for the Georgia Ports Authority. Find print quality images <\/b>here<\/b><\/a>. (Georgia Ports Authority \/ Stephen B. Morton)<\/b><\/p>\n

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Savannah, Ga. \u2013 Jan. 23, 2017 \u2013 <\/b>The Georgia Ports Authority marked 12.3 percent container volume growth in December, moving 292,172 twenty-foot equivalent container units, an increase of 32,099 TEUs compared to December 2015, a record for the GPA.<\/p>\n

Roll-on\/Roll-off cargo mirrored that growth, with a 12.3 percent increase (7,000 units) in passenger vehicles and heavy equipment handled at Colonel\u2019s Island terminal in Brunswick and Ocean Terminal in Savannah. Georgia\u2019s deepwater ports moved 63,967 Ro\/Ro units last month.<\/p>\n

Executive Director Griff Lynch reported at the Authority board meeting Monday that several factors led to GPA\u2019s December record growth. \u201cStrategic proximity to major population and manufacturing sites, direct interstate access and the most ocean carrier routes in the U.S. Southeast are the competitive advantages drawing customers to our ports,\u201d Lynch said. \u201cAs the largest single-terminal operation in the nation, Savannah\u2019s advantages are unmatched in the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n

In its effort to stay ahead of demand and accommodate future needs, the GPA broke ground last month on its new inland terminal in Northwest Georgia \u2013 the Appalachian Regional Port. Port officials estimate the CSX rail route will reduce Atlanta truck traffic by 50,000 moves annually, and expand GPA\u2019s target market in Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky. Each container moved by rail from the inland terminal will offset 355 truck miles on Georgia highways.<\/p>\n

\u201cGPA\u2019s track record of operational excellence over the past decade more than prepares it to achieve great things at the Appalachian Regional Port,\u201d said Board Chairman Jimmy Allgood. \u201cThis is the next step in our transition, moving additional cargo to rail, allowing more capacity on our interstates, and extending GPA\u2019s competitive benefits farther into the American heartland.\u201d<\/p>\n

Inland terminal construction is expected to take just under two years, with the start of operations at the ARP targeted for the third quarter of calendar year 2018.<\/p>\n

Allgood said the new inland terminal will make goods manufactured within its service region — such as flooring, automobiles and tires — more competitive in the global market, while reducing carbon emissions. The ARP\u2019s savings potential has already resulted in companies locating and expanding in Northwest Georgia to take advantage of the inland terminal\u2019s future benefits.<\/p>\n

Allgood began the first GPA Board Meeting of 2017 with a moment of silence for Tom J. Mahoney, Jr. who passed away January 20. Mahoney had served as assistant attorney general for the GPA from 1987 until the time of his death. \u201cFor nearly three decades, Tom Mahoney helped steer GPA\u2019s growth and success with his wise counsel, knowledge of maritime issues and love of our ports. He will be missed.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n

In other business:<\/p>\n