ATLANTA - The Georgia Ports Authority announced Monday at a board meeting here that a record number of containers moved through the Port of Savannah in 2007.
The 2.6 million 20-foot equivalent unit containers represented a 21 percent increase.
"As the fourth largest container port in the nation and the sixth largest auto port in the nation, we posted another record-breaking year for Georgia's ports," Steve Green, GPA board chairman, said. "Total tonnage at our Colonel's Island Facility experienced an increase of 13.4 percent from calendar year 2006. These numbers were bolstered by new customers such as Bunge North America, Bentley and Maserati as well as increased cargo volumes from existing customers."
GPA's Executive Director Doug J. Marchand said, "Investments the state of Georgia and the authority have made in our facilities are paying huge dividends for our customers. We are setting new records, exceeding service levels and moving forward with an aggressive, $1.2 billion capital improvement plan to grow our business to new heights and create more jobs and opportunities for the citizens of Georgia."
During the meeting, the authority also approved two capital improvement projects for the Port of Savannah. The first is a $10.9 million contract to complete the Chatham Yard Intermodal Container Transfer Facility. This project will enhance Savannah's rail capacity, improve overall terminal efficiencies and increase Georgia's reach throughout the Southeastern U.S.
The second project is a $4.5 million contract to complete 42 additional acres of container storage for the new container berths 8 and 9.
The authority says Georgia's deepwater ports and inland barge terminals support more than 275,968 jobs throughout the state annually and contribute $10.8 billion in income, $35.4 billion in revenue and some $1.4 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia's economy.
The 2.6 million 20-foot equivalent unit containers represented a 21 percent increase.
"As the fourth largest container port in the nation and the sixth largest auto port in the nation, we posted another record-breaking year for Georgia's ports," Steve Green, GPA board chairman, said. "Total tonnage at our Colonel's Island Facility experienced an increase of 13.4 percent from calendar year 2006. These numbers were bolstered by new customers such as Bunge North America, Bentley and Maserati as well as increased cargo volumes from existing customers."
GPA's Executive Director Doug J. Marchand said, "Investments the state of Georgia and the authority have made in our facilities are paying huge dividends for our customers. We are setting new records, exceeding service levels and moving forward with an aggressive, $1.2 billion capital improvement plan to grow our business to new heights and create more jobs and opportunities for the citizens of Georgia."
During the meeting, the authority also approved two capital improvement projects for the Port of Savannah. The first is a $10.9 million contract to complete the Chatham Yard Intermodal Container Transfer Facility. This project will enhance Savannah's rail capacity, improve overall terminal efficiencies and increase Georgia's reach throughout the Southeastern U.S.
The second project is a $4.5 million contract to complete 42 additional acres of container storage for the new container berths 8 and 9.
The authority says Georgia's deepwater ports and inland barge terminals support more than 275,968 jobs throughout the state annually and contribute $10.8 billion in income, $35.4 billion in revenue and some $1.4 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia's economy.