Georgia Ports Authority Posts 25-Percent Container Growth for May
Savannah, Ga. – June 28, 2010 – Georgia Ports Authority’s (GPA) Executive Director Curtis J. Foltz announced today that the GPA experienced 25.3-percent container growth in May and has recorded six consecutive months of double-digit growth. (See chart) “May was the sixth busiest month ever recorded for container throughput and continued the string of double-digit growth experienced since last December,” said Foltz. “The growth experienced in the second half of this fiscal year continues to signal improved economic recovery, retail inventory re-stocking and ongoing strength in U.S. products overseas with significant export increases.” Overall tonnage for May 2010 reported gains of 12.4 percent, which brings the GPA’s fiscal year-to-date (July 2009 through May 2010) volume to a 6.5-percent increase compared with the same time period last year. Import growth increased during May as well, while export products and empty container repositioning also supported the extremely strong month. At the Port of Brunswick, the movement of auto and machinery units has also experienced growth for the past six months. Colonel’s Island Terminal moved 35,873 total units in May 2010, which is an 82.4-percent increase compared with May 2009. “It is clear just how strong an economic engine our ports have become and how that engine is helping to fuel our economic recovery,” said GPA’s Chairman of the Board Stephen S. Green. “The GPA’s focus on the future even during the economic recession is starting to pay dividends today.” Total Containers by Month Month Cont. FY10 Cont. FY09 VAR% May - 130,310 103,957 25.3% April - 134,734 107,230 25.6% March - 126,870 95,410 33.0% February - 113,708 92,726 22.6% January - 125,892 104,500 20.5% December - 121,411 102,662 18.3% 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.