Savannah Port Raises Environmental Efforts

Savannah, the United States’ fastest growing container gateway, is rolling out a series of new environmental initiatives aimed at reducing pollution even as the port adds cargo handling capacity, port officials said.

Over the next three years, Savannah will expand its container facilities to a capacity of 6.5 million 20-foot equivalent units, up from the current capacity of 3.5 million TEUs, Curtis Foltz, executive director of the Georgia Ports Authority, told the annual Georgia Foreign Trade Conference this week.

“We want to stay 10 years out in front of cargo growth,” Foltz said.

At the same time, the port authority is implementing throughout its operations measures designed to reduce pollution.

Most dockside container cranes have been converted from diesel power to electricity. The cranes are equipped to capture electrical energy released while lowering a container, with the energy stored for use when lifting the next container. This technology reduces electricity consumption by 30 percent.

These and other environmental measures are being implemented not in response to government mandates but at the direction of the board of harbor commissioners, Foltz said.

Like most ports, Savannah last year saw cargo volumes decline rapidly during the economic recession, but tonnage has picked up steadily since the fall.

Container volume fell 10 percent in the July through September quarter, but increased 4 percent in the October through December quarter and the six-month period ended with a decline of only 4 percent compared to the second half of 2008.

Momentum continues to build, and Foltz said he anticipates the January cargo report will show “very positive numbers.” The recovery so far is being led by exports. The port’s cargo mix is now 54 percent exports and 46 percent imports, although imports will increase as the economy improves and consumers increase their purchases, Foltz said.

Contact Bill Mongelluzzo at bmongelluzzo@joc.com.