Driving growth in Georgia

Georgia Ports Authority’s (GPA) has revealed that the region’s ports made substantial gains in the last quarter of 2009 compared with previous year’s figures.

Georgia as a whole saw that illusive box trade increase as the GPA moved 217,643 teu in December 2009, posting an increase of 18.2% compared with December 2008.

Colonel’s Island in the Port of Brunswick, specialising in breakbulk, agribulk and ro-ro cargoes, saw a dramatic climb. Colonel’s Island hit a record 185,424 tonnes in December due to increasing volumes in grain for export - making a year-to-date increase of 37.5%.

Although car and machinery parts are still down on the fiscal year, that sector has also seen a jump of 47% for December.

GPA seems convinced that it is reaping the benefits of advances made in the teeth of the financial storm. Executive director Curtis Foltz told the board: “Georgia’s ports are beginning to experience positive signs that the new shipping lines and capacity we added during the economic downturn are driving growth.”

(Source: Port Strategy)