Cranes will provide enhanced productivity in the same physical footprint

The upcoming addition of 20 new rubber-tired gantry (RTG) cranes at the Port of Savannah will give it a larger fleet than any other terminal in the country. The increase aims to keep the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) ahead of the growing container volume at Garden City Terminal.

The GPA Board approved the purchase at its March meeting. The new RTGs will be tall enough to stand over six containers, one higher than Savannah’s other RTGs, allowing for additional capacity in the same terminal footprint. Once commissioned, the newest batch of RTGs will bring Garden City’s fleet to 192.

The cranes move containers to and from trucks at Garden City Terminal. The increased capacity will maintain low turn times and expedite intermodal cargo through the U.S. Southeast and Midwest. The equipment is scheduled for delivery in 2023.

GPA has also focused on expanding its workforce of more than 1,400 trained logistics professionals. To handle record container volumes, GPA is hiring additional employees as quickly as possible, particularly those with heavy equipment experience. Nearly 1,000 applicants attended a job fair coordinated by GPA’s human resources department on April 24.

Recent initiatives such as the Youth learning Equipment and Safety (Y.ES.) program are also helping GPA to meet its workforce needs by providing work-based training to graduating high school seniors. For more information, visit gaports.com/jobs.