Georgia Ports Volumes Dip Amid Softer Market

A cargo ship in Savannah, Georgia
Corporate News Ports & Logistics The Americas
by Sam Hamilton

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) reported a 2.5% decrease in container volumes through April as weaker market demand and comparisons with last year’s tariff-related cargo surge impacted results.

The Port of Savannah handled roughly 4.7 million TEUs during the fiscal year to date, representing a decline of 118,422 TEUs compared to the same period last year. In April alone, the port processed 443,650 TEUs, down nearly 14% from April 2025, which had been Savannah’s strongest April on record.

Port officials noted that cargo numbers last year were boosted by shippers accelerating imports ahead of expected tariffs.

Our customers are managing through a softer market with higher operating costs,” said Georgia Ports President and CEO Griff Lynch. “The Georgia Ports Authority remains focused on delivering capacity for the longer term so when the market changes we are ready to seamlessly absorb their growth.

Despite the slowdown in container traffic, GPA continues to move forward with a major expansion strategy. The authority’s 10-year investment plan includes $5 billion in projects, featuring five additional container berths in Savannah and a new Roll-on/Roll-off berth in Brunswick.

At Savannah’s Ocean Terminal, a redevelopment project valued at nearly $1.6 billion has now reached the halfway stage. The work aims to increase annual container capacity at the 200-acre facility from 200,000 TEUs to 1.75 million TEUs. Construction on the terminal’s second berth is expected to finish in June 2026, enabling the port to accommodate two large vessels at the same time.

GPA also officially opened the Gainesville Inland Port on May 4, introducing direct rail links between Northeast Georgia and the Port of Savannah. The $134 million facility, served by Norfolk Southern, is expected to transfer around 26,000 containers from road to rail during its first year, with future annual capacity projected at up to 200,000 containers.

In Brunswick, Roll-on/Roll-off traffic increased 2% in April to 64,305 units. However, fiscal year-to-date RoRo volumes were down 11.8% at 639,574 units. According to GPA, Brunswick remained the busiest auto port in the United States during 2025, handling 779,000 vehicle units along with more than 53,000 units of heavy equipment.