Georgia Ports’ Ocean Terminal Renovation Now 55 Percent Complete

Published on Monday, June 15, 2026 by Nicole Shakir, Managing Editor of Expansion Solutions Magazine

$1.6 Billion Port of Savannah Project to Add Two Berths, Improve Truck Access and Increase Container Capacity

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Renovations at the Port of Savannah’s Ocean Terminal are now 55 percent complete, marking a major milestone for Georgia Ports Authority’s nearly $1.6 billion project to expand capacity, improve truck access and support future cargo growth across the Southeast.

The 200-acre Ocean Terminal is being transformed to significantly increase container capacity, growing from 200,000 twenty-foot equivalent container units annually to 1.75 million TEUs. The project is part of GPA’s broader long-term investment strategy to strengthen supply chain efficiency and meet rising demand driven by population and manufacturing growth throughout the region.

Project Highlights

Ocean Terminal renovation now 55 percent complete
Nearly $1.6 billion investment at the Port of Savannah
Annual capacity to grow from 200,000 TEUs to 1.75 million TEUs
Two upgraded berths to accommodate large vessels
2,650 feet of total dock space upon completion
New truck gate structure now 80 percent complete
12 inbound and six outbound lanes expected by November 2026
First half of renovated yard expected to open in mid-fall 2027
Entire yard expected to be complete by the end of 2028
Port of Savannah annual capacity expected to reach 9 million TEUs by 2029

Ocean Terminal Expansion Supports Future Cargo Demand

GPA has completed upgrades to the first of two berths at Ocean Terminal. The improved dock space now serves working ships and can also function as an optional staging area for Garden City Terminal. When a berth becomes available at Savannah’s main container port, vessels can move quickly to begin cargo operations.

“Growth in population and manufacturing across the Southeast means we must be ready to meet future demand,” said Georgia Ports President and CEO Griff Lynch. “Improving Ocean Terminal now will allow us to continue the efficient flow of cargo between our docks and inland markets that customers rely on.”

Work on the second berth is expected to be completed in late June 2026, allowing Ocean Terminal to accommodate two large vessels simultaneously. Once complete, the docks will span a total of 2,650 feet.

GPA will continue handling only smaller vessels at Ocean Terminal until the first phase of the container yard renovation is complete. The first half of the renovated yard is expected to open in mid-fall 2027, with the full yard scheduled for completion by the end of 2028.

Expanded Truck Gates Improve Port Access and Traffic Flow

Truck access and traffic flow are also being improved as part of the Ocean Terminal renovation. The new gate structure is now 80 percent complete, with the first components already open to traffic.

By November 2026, the expanded gate complex is expected to include:

12 inbound lanes
Six outbound lanes
Improved truck processing efficiency
Better access between Ocean Terminal, U.S. 17 and Interstate 16

A $29 million Georgia Ports-funded overpass now routes departing trucks directly to U.S. 17 and I-16, helping bypass neighborhood streets. Incoming trucks use a U.S. 17 offramp with a signalized intersection, providing uninterrupted interstate access between Savannah and Metro Atlanta.

GPA Trucker App Supports Digital Gate Transactions

Truckers calling on Ocean Terminal are using the new GPA Trucker app, which provides on-terminal container location data and sends push notifications when digital gate transaction tickets are issued.

The technology eliminates the need for paper documents at terminal gates and supports faster, more efficient movement through the port.

Additional Ocean Terminal improvements include equipment upgrades, yard enhancements and new buildings to support operations.

Ocean Terminal Construction Advances GPA’s Long-Term Master Plan

Despite ongoing construction, Ocean Terminal handled approximately 84,000 TEUs in calendar year 2025. Once the project is complete, improvements at Ocean Terminal will help bring the Port of Savannah’s overall annual capacity to 9 million TEUs by 2029.

Lynch said the Ocean Terminal project is part of GPA’s port master plan. Over the next 10 years, Georgia Ports plans to invest $5 billion in capacity enhancements to support future supply chain requirements.

About Georgia Ports

Georgia’s ports in Savannah and Brunswick serve as strategic gateways, supporting some of the most competitive supply chains in the nation through strong operations, connectivity and a growing supply chain ecosystem.

The Port of Savannah is one of the best-connected U.S. ports to world markets, with:

40 ship calls per week
42 doublestack trains per week
14,000 truck gate moves daily

The Port of Brunswick is the No. 1 ranked U.S. roll-on/roll-off port by annual auto volumes and continues to expand its high and heavy cargo operating space.

GPA has a self-financed investment plan of nearly $5 billion over the next 10 years, including five new big-ship container berths in Savannah and a fourth RoRo berth in Brunswick. In the past decade, GPA has invested $3.2 billion in infrastructure improvements.

As part of its community engagement efforts, GPA is donating $6 million to port communities to support a multi-year local workforce housing initiative, helping 178 families repair, buy or build a home in the Savannah area since the initiative began in September 2023.

For more information, visit gaports.com.