At the Georgia Ports Authority board meeting Monday, Executive Director Curtis Foltz reported a 16.6 percent calendar year to date increase in container volumes, as well as capital projects necessary for future growth.
 
The Port of Savannah has moved 2.55 million twenty-foot equivalent container units since the start of the calendar year, an additional 365,097 TEUs. Twenty-foot equivalent container units grew by 4.4 percent (13,353 TEUs) in August alone, for a total of 315,175 TEUs.
 
"The authority's policy of continuous reinvestment in port infrastructure has allowed Georgia's deepwater ports to accommodate unprecedented freight expansion," Foltz said. "Constant improvement in equipment and services helps Savannah maintain its position as the leading gateway to trade for the U.S. Southeast."
 
Also at its meeting on Monday, the GPA board approved expenditures of up to $12.6 million for Phase 3 of Savannah's yard crane electrification. The first two phases have been completed with a total of 19 rubber-tired gantry cranes operating within the eRTG system. Construction of the third phase will add four container rows, using 16 additional eRTGs. Reducing diesel consumption by 95 percent per crane, eRTGs will make up 25 percent of the GPA crane fleet by summer 2016.
 
"Electrifying the RTGs will reduce fuel and maintenance costs, as well as carbon emissions as GPA strives to be a leader in environmental stewardship," said Board Vice Chairman James Allgood. "Increasing market share while strengthening our commitment to service, sustainability and safety is a key strategy for the GPA moving forward."
 
Another project approved by the board Monday is the refurbishment of the concrete wharf at Mayor's Point Terminal in Brunswick. The dock was built in 1983 and expanded in 1992. The improvements will secure the critical role Mayor's Point plays in the export of Southeastern forest products.