Peter T. Leach, Senior Editor | Jan 23, 2012 12:01PM EST
The volume of containers handled by the Port of Savannah in December dropped 1.9 percent year-over year, but the decrease didn’t prevent the Georgia port from hitting an annual record.
Savannah’s total throughput in 2011 increased by 3.5 percent to 2.95 million TEU 20-foot equivalent units,the Georgia Ports Authority reported Monday. Breakbulk traffic at the Port of Brunswick expanded 7.5 percent year-over-year to 209,656 tons, while roll-on, roll-off cargo rose 23 percent to 495,000 auto and machinery units in the same period.
“The Ports of Savannah and Brunswick achieved record volumes in 2011 despite the nation’s economic challenges,” said Curtis Foltz, executive director of the Georgia Ports Authority, which operates both ports.
The Port of Savannah became the second-largest export port for containerized goods after the Port of Loa Angeles, the GPA said, citing data from the U.S. Commerce Department.
In 2011, exports accounted for over 15.5 million tons, accounting for 59 percent of the GPA’s trade volume.
-- Contact Peter T. Leach at pleach@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @petertleach.
