Peter T. Leach, Senior Editor | Jul 23, 2012 11:27AM EDT
The volume of containers handled by the Port of Savannah during fiscal 2011 ended June 30 grew by a relatively meager 1.9 percent year-over-year due to what the Georgia Ports Authority called the “slow-to-stagnant recovery.”
Savannah’s container throughput for the year reached 2,982,467 20-foot equivalent units compared to 2,927,246 in fiscal 2010.
Nevertheless, the GPA said it achieved record volumes for total tonnage, containers, and autos in fiscal 2012.
“Strong growth in breakbulk and auto cargoes complemented record volumes in total tonnage and container traffic,” said GPA Executive Director Curtis J. Foltz.
Breakbulk cargo tonnage grew by 15.6 percent year-over-year FY2011, for an increase of 342,446 tons to 2.53 million ton.
The ports boosted overall tonnage to 26.5 million for an increase of 561,038 tons. Auto and machinery throughput at Colonel’s Island at the Port of Brunswick alone grew by more than 19 percent as the growth in GPA’s roll-on, roll-off traffics reached 569,984 roll-on/roll-off units across all terminals in fiscal 2012.
The GPA said it gets calls by more than 40 weekly shipping services, which it said is the most shipping services of any port on the East Coast. Total vessel calls reached 2,916 in fiscal 20122, an increase of 2.2 percent over the last fiscal year.
Contact Peter T. Leach at pleach@joc.com.
