Expanding capacity to power global commerce
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
GEORGIA TRADE AND LOGISTICS
subcontinent. Eleven ocean carriers now offer transit times as short as 29 days, with direct calls at Nhava Sheva / Mumbai, Pipavav, Hazira and other regional ports.
“ Savannah provides faster total transit times for Indian cargo destined for Atlanta, Memphis and Nashville compared to West Coast gateways,” Fulford said.“ Shorter ocean routes and our efficient rail network reduce overall transit time.”
Billion-dollar investments
To leverage unprecedented opportunity, GPA is investing at a scale unmatched on the Eastern Seaboard. Fulford describes the strategy as“ steady, self-funded investment” designed to expand capacity and prepare for future demand.
Over the next decade, GPA will invest $ 4.5 billion to add five big-ship berths, for a total of 10— more than any other US port. Two upgraded berths at Savannah’ s Ocean Terminal will come online in 2027 and 2028, and three additional berths are planned for the new Savannah Container Terminal on Hutchinson Island in the 2030s.
In 2025, GPA completed or made substantial progress on several major projects. These included the construction of a $ 262 million roll-on / roll-off( ro / ro) expansion at Brunswick, adding 640,000 square feet of warehousing and 122 acres of storage; a $ 100 million ro / ro berth at Colonel’ s Island, its fourth; funding of a $ 48.5 million US Customs and Border Protection examination site in Savannah, doubling warehouse space and expanding refrigerated cargo capacity; and the installation of eight new ship-to-shore( STS) cranes— the largest STS fleet on the East Coast.
These investments are designed to support both containerized and automotive growth, two sectors where GPA and its supply chain partners shine.
Booming distribution, rail ecosystem Savannah has become one of the country’ s fastest-growing industrial markets, with 165 million square feet of industrial space and 9.5 million square feet under construction. Manufacturing and logistics operations are driving this expansion.
To support this growth, GPA is expanding its rail footprint. The Mason Mega Rail Terminal handled a record 545,000 containers in 2025 and has capacity for 1 million annually. The onport facility runs 42 double-stack trains per week, achieving an industry-leading 22-hour average from vessel discharge to train departure.
“ This speed-to-rail capability enhances supply chain reliability and shortens total transit times for inland markets,” Fulford said.
GPA’ s inland network is also expanding. The Appalachian Regional Port inland rail terminal— opened in 2018 in partnership with CSX— helped move a record 45,700 containers in 2025. The facility offers seven inbound and outbound trains weekly with second-day access to Savannah, while significantly
Expanding capacity to power global commerce
Operating the national gateway ports of Savannah and Brunswick, the Georgia Ports Authority( GPA) enables customers to compete in world markets.
GPA is investing in the future of America, with $ 4.5 billion in capacity enhancements over the next 10 years included in its port master plan. Investments will expand cargo-handling capabilities to support future supply chain requirements.
The Port of Savannah is one of the fastest-growing container ports in the US, serving as a gateway to 70 % of the nation’ s population, reachable within three to four days via Savannah. With 39 container ship services and 24 / 7 vessel operations, Savannah is one of the best-connected ports in the country.
The on-terminal rail facility, Mason Mega Rail, moves cargo quickly to and from inland markets, with 42 double-stack trains per week and an industry-leading 22 hours average rail dwell between import cargo discharged from vessel and train departure. GPA’ s newest inland terminal, Gainesville, Ga.’ s Blue Ridge Connector, will open in mid-2026, providing a direct rail connection from northeast Georgia to the Port of Savannah.
Thanks to 50-minute turn times and 80 % dual transactions, Savannah truckers can make eight trips per day to local warehouses.
Additionally, the Port of Brunswick is one of the fastestgrowing auto and heavy equipment ports. GPA recently invested $ 284 million to double rail capacity at Colonels Island Terminal to 370,000 vehicles per year, add 680,000 square feet of covered storage for heavy equipment processing, and add over 160 acres of outdoor storage. A fourth roll-on / roll-off berth is under construction and expected to open in 2027.
Georgia’ s ports and inland terminals support 651,000 jobs annually throughout the state, contributing $ 43 billion in income, $ 174 billion in revenue and $ 6 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia’ s economy.
As part of its community engagement efforts, GPA is donating $ 6 million to communities located near the Port of Savannah to support a multi-year, local workforce housing initiative.
Georgia is a long-term, attractive business destination, with Area Development magazine ranking Georgia as the top state to do business for 12 consecutive years. n
Visit www. gaports. com.
66 Journal of Commerce | March 2, 2026 www. joc. com