US may fund Savannah’s keep-up game

Savannah is eyeing US federal money to support its development in line with the Panama expansion.

“The Savannah Harbour Expansion Project is critical to our state’s economic future,” Senator Johnny Isakson said, in support of a request to the Senate Appropriations Committee for funding of the project in 2011.

“The Port of Savannah must maintain its position as a gateway for business to Georgia, and we will work to ensure the Georgia Ports Authority has the necessary funding for this harbour deepening.” Currently, Georgia’s maritime activities support more than 286,000 jobs in the state and contribute some $10.8bn in income each year.

In response to the Panama Canal widening, the Savannah Harbour Expansion Project was established in order to deepen the channel from 12.8 m to 14.6 m at mean low water in order to accommodate the next generation of deep-draught vessels. Completion is projected to coincide with the new Panama transit, opening in 2014.

The Port of Savannah is the fastest growing container port in the US as well as the second largest container port on the East Coast and the fourth largest container port in the nation. Both the state of Georgia and private companies have invested substantially in land-side facilities to increase efficiency through the port.

(Source: Port Strategy)