New Refrigerated Inspection Space Will Support Perishable Cargo Growth and Cold Chain Efficiency
SAVANNAH, Ga. (June 9, 2026) — Georgia Ports customers will soon have a new on-terminal option for refrigerated cargo inspections at the Port of Savannah, strengthening the port’s ability to move perishable goods quickly and safely through the supply chain.
Beginning July 1, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations will begin using a new 4,000-square-foot refrigerated inspection space at the Port of Savannah. The chilled cargo inspection site is part of a larger 300,000-square-foot facility designed to support federal inspections and improve cargo clearance operations.
“Our on-terminal Customs station supports the expedited handling of perishable cargo,” said Griff Lynch, President and CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority. “We know it’s important for shippers to get these commodities onto store shelves as quickly as possible while maintaining food safety.”
Supporting Cold Chain Cargo at the Port of Savannah
The new refrigerated inspection area will allow chilled cargo inspections to take place in a temperature-controlled environment without breaking the cold chain. Port officials said the facility includes specialized infrastructure to support temperature control, cleanliness, ventilation and freshness throughout the inspection and clearance process.
Key features of the new chilled cargo inspection site include:
- 4,000 square feet of refrigerated inspection space
- Temperature-controlled inspection capabilities for perishable imports
- 20 refrigerated power plug-ins on exterior walls for reefer containers on chassis
- On-terminal access to support faster cargo handling
- Infrastructure designed to help maintain food safety and product integrity
The inspection process is also intended to help protect domestic agriculture from invasive pests and plant diseases while offering produce importers a new on-port option for refrigerated cargo clearance.
Savannah’s Refrigerated Warehousing Network Continues to Grow
The new on-terminal refrigerated inspection site will complement the Savannah area’s existing refrigerated warehousing network. According to port officials, a dozen Savannah-area businesses operate nearly 2.4 million square feet of refrigerated warehousing.
That capacity includes:
- 1.64 million square feet of frozen cargo space
- More than 752,000 square feet of chilled cargo space
- A strong regional ecosystem for cold storage, perishable imports and food logistics
The new inspection site supports one of Georgia Ports Authority’s fastest-growing cargo sectors. Chilled cargo imports are up 10.5% for the fiscal year to date, from July 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026, reaching 43,540 twenty-foot equivalent container units.
$49.25 Million Project Expands Federal Inspection Capacity
The refrigerated inspection area is part of a $49.25 million project that relocated U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations from a previous 130,000-square-foot location on Garden City Terminal to an adjacent 300,000-square-foot building, also located on terminal.
The new facility is designed to accommodate federal inspections by multiple agencies, including:
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
In addition to the warehouse space, the new CBP facility includes 400,000 square feet of parking for outdoor inspections.
Georgia Ports Strengthens Global Supply Chain Connections
Georgia’s ports in Savannah and Brunswick serve as strategic gateways for global commerce, supported by strong operations, connectivity and a growing supply chain ecosystem. The Port of Savannah is one of the best-connected ports in the United States, with 40 ship calls per week, 42 doublestack trains per week and 14,000 truck gate moves daily.
The Port of Brunswick is ranked the No. 1 U.S. roll-on/roll-off port by annual auto volumes and continues to expand its capabilities for machinery and high-and-heavy cargo.
Georgia Ports Authority is also advancing a self-financed investment plan of nearly $5 billion over the next decade. The plan includes five new big-ship container berths in Savannah and a fourth RoRo berth in Brunswick to support future growth.
Over the past decade, GPA has invested $3.2 billion in infrastructure improvements across its port network.
About Georgia Ports Authority
Georgia’s Ports in Savannah and Brunswick are strategic gateways that support competitive supply chains through strong operations, connectivity and a robust logistics ecosystem. Combined with Georgia’s ranking as the top state to do business for 12 consecutive years, the state’s port network continues to support economic growth, global trade and job creation.
As part of its community engagement efforts, Georgia Ports Authority is donating $6 million to port communities to support a multi-year workforce housing initiative. Since the initiative began in September 2023, it has helped 178 families repair, buy or build a home in the Savannah area.
For more information, visit gaports.com or contact Edward Fulford, Manager of Media Relations, at efulford@gaports.com or 912-964-3806.
