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Hitting on all cylinders, the Georgia Ports Authority on Monday reported its best year ever in fiscal 2014, setting records for containers, tonnage and auto/machinery units.
GPA moved more than 29 million tons of cargo, 3 million twenty-foot equivalent container units — or TEUs — and more than 700,000 auto and machinery units, wrapping up the fiscal year June 30 with records in each of those three segments.
Breakbulk and bulk cargo also grew last year.
“This was one of those years when everything came together,” said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz, adding that a number of things contributed to the successful run.
“Our economy continued to improve, for one, and the diversion of cargo to the East Coast in the last two months of the year also helped,”
“But mostly it’s due to our growth in market share. While most major ports are struggling with capacity as the market comes back, the customers we served appreciate our ability to accommodate the extra cargo,” Foltz said.
In addition to topping three million containers for the first time, which contributed to record-breaking tonnage volumes, GPA solidified
its position as the No. 2 auto port in the country and is inching closer to No. 1.
“The board and staff of the Georgia Ports Authority are to be commended for their outstanding achievements this year,” Gov. Nathan Deal said in a statement released Monday. “Our ports’ success is a win for us all and a direct result of Georgia’s commitment to the GPA and support for critical port infrastructure projects such as the harbor deepening and enhanced access to I-95 and I-16.
“Georgia’s deepwater terminals support jobs, investment and economic development in every county across the state.”
Georgia Ports Authority board chairman Jim Walters said it’s no accident Georgia Ports seems to break records every month.
“It speaks to the fact that we are ahead of the curve in infrastructure and technology, with the ability to deliver services in a much more efficient manner than our competitors up and down the Eastern Seaboard,” he said.
“We continue to benefit from the strong support of the governor and our state legislators, which in turn helps the 21,000 businesses that depend on us to move their goods reliably and on time.”
The Port of Savannah handled a record 3.14 million TEUs in FY14, up by 6.3 percent — or 186,567 TEUs — compared to the previous year. The added volume contributed to a record year in total tonnage, as GPA moved 29.4 million tons of freight, up by 8 percent or 2.17 million tons.
“Our ports support a broad range of industries, ranging from forestry and food production to auto manufacturing and retail,” Foltz said. “The additional cargo attracted to Georgia in FY14 speaks to the powerful and growing impact Georgia’s ports have on the state and region.”
In roll-on/roll-off cargo, the Port of Brunswick’s dedicated auto and machinery terminal moved 674,327 units in FY14. Savannah’s Ocean Terminal added another 26,375 for a record total of 700,702 units, up 10 percent for the year.
“This is a huge piece of business for Brunswick and a major driver of jobs for the entire state,” he said.
BY THE NUMBERS
For fiscal 2014, which ended June 30, Georgia Ports moved:
• 3.14 million TEUs, up 6.3 percent over fiscal 2013.
• 29.4 million tons of cargo, up 8 percent over fiscal 2013.
• 700,702 auto and machinery units, up 10 percent over fiscal 2013.
• 2.63 million tons of breakbulk cargo, up 5.2 percent over fiscal 2013.
• 2.73 million tons of bulk cargo, up 8.4 percent over fiscal 2013.