Georgia Ports Authority Handles 2.6 million TEUs in FY2010

Savannah, Ga. – August 2, 2010 – Georgia Ports Authority’s (GPA) Executive Director Curtis J. Foltz announced today the GPA handled more than 2.63 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit containers), added new services and maintained its position as the fourth highest volume container port in fiscal year 2010.

For the month of June 2010, the GPA posted a 34-percent increase with 240,734 TEUs compared with 179,451 TEUs handled in June 2009.

“The second half of the year was particularly strong with signs of economic recovery, retail sector inventory replenishment and continued strong demand for U.S. produced products boosting export volumes,” said Foltz. “The 9.7-percent increase in TEUs for the year allowed the GPA to fully recover from decreases experienced in FY2009 and return to the record levels reached in FY2008.”

The month of June 2010 was the third highest volume overall for the GPA in terms of both TEUs and containers moved. In June 2010, the GPA moved 135,297 containers compared with 100,660 containers in June 2009. Also, during FY2010, the GPA experienced a 9.7-percent increase in total TEUs and a 7.3-percent increase in total tonnage for all terminal facilities handling a total of 24,288,789 tons.

In Brunswick, the GPA surpassed 2.3 million tons, a 15.4-percent increase compared with the previous year. Autos and machinery units at Colonel’s Island Terminal totaled 332,100 units, posting a 16.2-percent increase compared with the previous year. These volume gains can be attributed to a number of factors including a renewed consumer market for automobiles and the addition of a Mercedes-Benz USA vehicle-processing center on Colonel’s Island Terminal, which opened in January 2010.

Additionally, the Port of Brunswick recorded its best performance to date in the movement of agri-bulk cargoes in FY2010, handling more than one million tons at Colonel’s Island Terminal, a 38.7-percent increase compared with FY2009.

“I would like to thank the men and women of the GPA and the entire maritime community for making this remarkable year of growth a reality,” said GPA Chairman of the Board Alec L. Poitevint. “The commencement of the Savannah Harbor Deepening Project will help ensure our future success.”

Georgia’s deepwater ports and inland barge terminals support more than 295,000 jobs throughout the state annually and contribute $15.5 billion in income, $61.7 billion in revenue and $2.6 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia’s economy.

For additional information, please contact GPA’s Senior Director of External Affairs Robert Morris at (912) 964-3855 or rmorris@gaports.com. Visit the GPA web site at www.gaports.com