Port of Savannah offers six direct weekly ocean carrier services to India, with a total of 10 services linking Savannah to the broader Indian subcontinent. (Georgia Ports)
Positioning Savannah for Expanded Global Trade; Port of Savannah serves as leading Southeast gateway for India–U.S. commerce
SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) is welcoming a newly announced trade agreement between the United States and India, a development expected to accelerate bilateral commerce and further strengthen the Port of Savannah’s role as a primary gateway for India–U.S. trade.
GPA leadership says the agreement aligns with long-term trends that have already made Savannah a preferred East Coast hub for Indian cargo moving to and from the U.S. Southeast.
“This is excellent news for American exporters, consumers, and our customers across Georgia and the Southeast,” said Griff Lynch, President and CEO of Georgia Ports Authority. “We have long believed India would play a major role in our future growth. Savannah’s market proximity and connectivity position us to capture increasing volumes as trade expands.”
Savannah’s Growing Role in India–U.S. Trade
Georgia Ports handled 22% of India’s containerized trade on the U.S. East Coast in FY2025, underscoring Savannah’s importance as a logistics hub for Indian cargo.
Savannah’s loaded container trade with India grew nearly 48% between FY2021 and FY2025, reaching 304,450 TEUs, reflecting sustained demand and strengthening commercial ties between the two countries.
Industry observers note that the new agreement could further accelerate these trends, particularly for manufacturers and distributors seeking diversified sourcing and resilient supply chains.
India’s Expanding Market Potential
India is projected to become the world’s fourth-largest economy in 2026, with strong demographic and economic fundamentals driving trade growth. The country’s population of nearly 1.5 billion people — with 65% under the age of 35 — supports long-term consumer demand and industrial expansion.
For U.S. companies, India represents a strategic sourcing alternative that can reduce supply-chain concentration risks while offering competitive procurement opportunities. The World Bank projects India’s GDP growth at 6.5% in 2026, outpacing many other Asian economies.
Faster Transit Times to Inland Markets
The Port of Savannah provides logistics advantages for Indian cargo bound for major inland markets such as Atlanta, Memphis, and Nashville, often delivering faster total transit times than West Coast gateways.
Ocean routes from India to the U.S. East Coast are shorter, and Savannah’s rail network enables rapid inland distribution.
Currently, Savannah offers:
- Six direct weekly vessel services to India
- Ten total services connecting Savannah to the Indian subcontinent
- Eleven ocean carriers serving the trade lane
- Transit times as short as 29 days
Direct services include calls at Nhava Sheva/Mumbai, Pipavav, and Hazira, along with additional regional ports such as Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Savannah’s rail efficiency is another competitive advantage. Cargo is typically:
- Discharged from vessels on day one
- Placed on rail by day two
- Available at many inland destinations by day three
The Mason Mega Rail Terminal, one of the largest on-dock rail facilities in North America, handles 42 trains per weekand provides double-stack service via CSX and Norfolk Southern to major U.S. markets.
Sustained Infrastructure Investment
Georgia Ports continues to invest aggressively to support future trade growth. GPA maintains a $4.5 billion, self-financed 10-year capital plan that includes:
- Five new big-ship berths in Savannah
- A fourth berth at the Port of Brunswick
- Ongoing terminal and capacity upgrades
Over the past decade, GPA has invested $3.2 billion in infrastructure improvements, reinforcing Georgia’s reputation as a top state for business and logistics competitiveness.
About Georgia Ports Authority
Georgia’s ports in Savannah and Brunswick serve as strategic global gateways, supporting competitive supply chains through high-performance operations, strong connectivity, and an integrated logistics ecosystem.
The Port of Savannah handles 39 ship calls per week, 42 double-stack trains weekly, and approximately 14,000 truck gate moves per day, making it one of the best-connected ports in the nation.
The Port of Brunswick ranks as the top U.S. RoRo port for automotive and machinery logistics, supported by more than $262 million in recent upgrades and a new $100 million berth currently under development.
