Appalachian Regional Port posts record volume while Brunswick heavy machinery traffic climbs 22%
SAVANNAH, Ga. (September 15, 2026) — The Port of Savannah handled 529,523 twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) in August, as loaded exports increased 4.2% and Georgia Ports Authority operations posted a strong start to the new fiscal year.
Loaded exports totaled 117,242 TEUs, an increase of nearly 4,700 TEUs from August 2025, while loaded imports reached 265,859 TEUs, up approximately 3,800 TEUs, or 1.5%.
Overall August container volume was essentially flat year over year, declining by less than 1%.
“Asia weather and Panama Canal water levels are being felt in August supply chains,” said Griff Lynch, CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority. “For September, we are seeing strong numbers on the water and the Suez Canal seems to be picking up.”
Lynch said Savannah continues to see healthy customer demand despite weather-related disruptions affecting global shipping patterns.
Georgia Ports Handles More Than 1 Million TEUs in Two Months
The Georgia Ports Authority handled 1.03 million TEUs in July and August, the first two months of its fiscal year.
Fiscal year-to-date container volume is up 2.2%, representing an increase of 22,537 TEUs compared with the same period last year.
“We’re off to a strong start, with more than a million TEUs moving through Georgia’s ports in the first two months of the fiscal year,” said GPA President Kevin Price. “At the same time, we’re improving truck efficiency.”
Garden City Terminal Improves Truck Turn Times
Operational efficiency also improved at the Port of Savannah’s Garden City Terminal.
Truck turn times for dual import-export transactions averaged 43 minutes in August, an improvement of 6.5 minutes compared with the terminal’s previous six-month average.
Nearly 80% of Savannah truck transactions are dual moves, according to GPA.
The port handles approximately 15,000 truck gate transactions between 4 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays.
“The Georgia Ports Authority and the entire state of Georgia are focused on providing a superior customer experience in all aspects of the supply chain,” said GPA Chairman Alec Poitevint.
Appalachian Regional Port Sets August Record
The Appalachian Regional Port recorded its strongest August on record, with cargo volumes increasing 10% compared with August 2025.
Through the first two months of the fiscal year, Appalachian Regional Port volume is up more than 25% year over year.
The inland rail facility provides an important connection between Northwest Georgia and the Port of Savannah, helping manufacturers and logistics operators move containerized freight between inland markets and global shipping routes.
Brunswick Heavy Machinery Volume Jumps 22%
At the Port of Brunswick, heavy machinery volume reached 4,726 units in August, representing growth of nearly 22%.
Brunswick handled 60,572 total units of automobiles and heavy machinery during the month, down approximately 5% from August 2025.
Georgia Ports said automotive export volumes continue to face pressure from stronger competition by domestic Chinese vehicle manufacturers in overseas markets.
Heavy machinery, however, continues to represent an important growth segment for the port.
$100 Million Brunswick Berth Expansion Reaches Halfway Point
Construction of a fourth berth at Colonels Island Terminal has reached the halfway mark.
The approximately $100 million project is scheduled for completion in November 2027 and will allow the Port of Brunswick to accommodate vessels capable of carrying more than 7,000 vehicles.
The project is part of Georgia Ports Authority’s broader effort to increase capacity for roll-on/roll-off cargo, automobiles and heavy equipment.
Georgia Ports Advances Long-Term Infrastructure Investment
Georgia Ports Authority is pursuing a nearly $5 billion self-financed investment program over the next decade to expand cargo capacity and improve supply chain efficiency.
Planned improvements include five additional big-ship container berths in Savannah and a fourth roll-on/roll-off berth in Brunswick.
Over the past decade, GPA’s board has approved approximately $4.13 billion in infrastructure improvements.
The Port of Savannah currently supports approximately 40 vessel calls per week, 42 double-stack train movements per week and roughly 15,000 daily truck gate moves.
The Port of Brunswick continues to serve as a major U.S. gateway for automobiles and an expanding range of heavy machinery cargo.
Together, the August results highlight continued growth in Georgia’s export activity, inland port operations and heavy-equipment logistics as GPA expands infrastructure to support future cargo demand.
