The Port of Savannah moved 307,035 twenty-foot equivalent container units in February, a record. Find print quality images here. (Georgia Ports Authority / Stephen B. Morton)

Savannah, Ga. – March 21, 2016 – Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Curtis Foltz reported 8 percent growth in containerized trade in February, compared to the same month a year ago.

“Our container volume growth continues to exceed our expectations in light of last year’s unprecedented cargo diversions from the West Coast,” said Foltz. “Efficient access to market, proximity to major Southeast populations and GPA’s ability to quickly expand on-terminal container capacity are a few of the reasons for Savannah’s continued success.”

In February, Garden City Terminal moved 307,035 twenty-foot equivalent container units, an increase of 8.1 percent, or 22,998 TEUs compared to the same month in 2015. In contrast to 2014, GPA moved 23 percent more containerized cargo in February.

Total freight for February equaled 2.67 million tons across all cargo sectors, an improvement of 3.9 percent, or 100,495 tons. It was the seventh highest monthly performance ever recorded. Of the total, containerized trade accounted for 2.18 million tons, up 8.7 percent, or 175,184 tons.

GPA Board Chairman James Walters noted the Port of Savannah is the third busiest in the nation for the export of containerized goods, behind only Houston and Los Angeles. “Last year, Savannah moved nearly 11.8 million tons of containerized exports,” Walters said. “One out of every 10 tons of containerized U.S. exports went through Georgia’s ports.”

Walters added, “Georgia’s deepwater ports in Savannah and Brunswick have become international cargo hubs, as well as excellent job generators for manufacturers throughout Georgia and the Southeast. Our ports support more than 369,000 jobs in Georgia, and more throughout this great country.”

For the fiscal year to date, the Port of Savannah has moved 2.41 million TEUs through February, a 3.6 percent (84,629 TEU) increase compared to FY2015, and 17.7 percent increase over the same period in FY2014.

Find print-quality images of port operations here. Georgia’s deepwater ports and inland barge terminals support more than 369,000 jobs throughout the state annually and contribute $20.4 billion in income, $84.1 billion in revenue and $2.3 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia’s economy. The Port of Savannah handled 8 percent of the U.S. containerized cargo volume and 11 percent of all U.S. containerized exports in CY2014.

For more information, contact GPA’s Senior Director of Corporate Communications Robert Morris at (912) 964-3855.  Visit the GPA web site at www.gaports.com.