GEORGIA PORTS\\\ >> 26


to Savannah.) The Mega


Rail carries longer trains, too — but without the headaches. Rather than waiting 30


minutes at a crossing, Lynch says idling time will be 8 minutes. To the community, he says, “We said, ‘Look, by doing this, we will save four hours a day of rail crossings at roadways right here in Savannah or in Garden City.’” Another benefit: Handling


30,000 trucks takes 21 million truck miles off Georgia roads, he says: “The sustainability- plus of it, that’s exciting for us.”


SEDA Looks to Future


Sustainability is one of those big, forward-looking buzzwords these days, and the GPA, along with the Savannah Economic Development Authority, is looking well into the future. SEDA has partnered with a Silicon Valley-based venture-


The dredge Chatry works to deepen the Savannah River. (GPA photo.)


capital firm, Plug and Play, to establish a First-Mile Logistics innovation hub in Savannah. The ecosystem, involving corporations and universities, will prove a boon to air cargo, trucking, rail and maritime industries, the “Savannah Morning News” reported last December. The high-tech platform will


obviously benefit the GPA — just as Lynch has proved valuable to his organization, Savannah and the state, according to Trip Tollison, SEDA’s President and CEO. “Griff Lynch’s ability to think


not only five years ahead, but 10, 15 and even 20 years ahead, is a true game-changer,” he says. “He is not only focused on the present and running the most efficient ports in the world, he is also laying the groundwork so that it stays


Georgia exports hold steady


The Georgia Ports Authority moved more than 4.68 million TEUs in 2020, up 1.8% over its 2019 total of 4.59 million. Total cargo crossing all docks in 2020 reached 38.4 million tons. The Port of Savannah


achieved its busiest December ever last month, moving 447,525 TEUs, an increase of 24%, or 86,700, compared to December 2019. Total cargo crossing all docks reached 3.33 million tons last month, up 12.5 percent. Rail volumes for the month grew 16.4%, or approximately 10,900 TEUs, for a total of 77,230. Intermodal cargo represented 17.4% of December container volumes. “Savannah’s capacity to


take on additional trade as well as its diversified cargo portfolio – including ecommerce


and strong


export markets – helped to drive business gains,” said GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch. “Additionally, a housing boom has translated into strong demand for furniture, appliances and other home goods


crossing our docks. We remain optimistic that the conditions for growth will continue, but it is too early to know if the pace of cargo expansion will carry on as it has.”


During the time when


manufacturers around the world were shuttering plants, Georgia exports held steady over the calendar year, at 2.3 million TEUs. Export container volumes were led by food, forest products, cotton, clay, automotive goods and chemicals. The Port of Savannah maintained a near-even trade balance of 51 percent import and 49 percent export, rare for the industry. “Efficient global


connections make export goods more competitive on international markets, and as our 37 weekly vessel calls show, shipping lines are drawn to ports with balanced trade,” said GPA Board Chairman Will McKnight. “By supporting small businesses and major industries, our terminals are key to attracting and retaining good jobs for Georgians.”


Issue 2 2021 - FBJNA


27


that way.” Clearly, so to speak, the


fog has lifted outside Lynch’s office — and beyond. “The Georgia Ports


Authority for decades has been betting on the future and investing in building capacity when it wasn’t always clear that we needed that capacity, but it has always worked out,” he says.


“That’s rewarding. It


gives you more confidence looking out.”


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