Savannah container volume grows 32.5pc in March

GEORGIA Ports Authority's (GPA) overall container volume posted a year-on-year 32.5 per cent increase to 227,860 TEU in March.

"The increased cargo passing through may signal that consumers are beginning to purchase again," said GPA executive director Curtis Foltz. "Our growth in both imports and exports indicates that overall recovery is taking hold."

Container imports increased 45.3 per cent to 112,233 TEU in March compared with March 2009. "There have been substantial increases for retailers of general merchandise, home improvement, electronics and appliances compared with March 2009. Furniture has seen moderate improvements compared with this time last year," said the GPA statement.

Export throughput remained strong as well, with an increase of 22 per cent for a total of 115,628 TEU year on year.

Overall tonnage for March 2010 reported gains of 24.9 per cent, which brings the GPA's fiscal year-to-date (July 2009 through March 2010) volume to a 4.9 per cent increase year on year.

At the Port of Brunswick, the movement of auto and machinery units has also experienced growth for the past four months. Colonel's Island Terminal moved 31,417 total units in March 2010, which is a 54.8 per cent increase compared with March 2009.

"We've survived an extremely tough time by doing a great job of capturing additional market share as the strategic hub for shippers and beneficial cargo owners in the south Atlantic," said GPA chairman Stephen Green. "The GPA's growth is a byproduct of the GPA's excellent marketing, operations and facilities."

Georgia's deepwater ports and inland barge terminals support more than 286,476 jobs throughout the state annually and contribute $14.9 billion in income, $55.8 billion in revenue and $2.8 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia's economy.

(Source: www.schednet.com)