Port of Savannah posts a 4% TEU increase in 2025

By Admin

22 Nov, 2025

The Port of Savannah continues to demonstrate resilience amid global trade fluctuations, reporting a 4% increase in container volumes for calendar year 2025 through October. According to the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), Savannah handled 4.8 million TEUs during this period an improvement of 183,250 TEUs compared with the same period last year.

However, October’s monthly performance reflected the broader market slowdown. Savannah moved 452,934 TEUs in October 2025, marking a decline of 8.4% or 41,325 TEUs compared with October 2024. Despite this temporary dip, GPA leadership remains optimistic about long-term recovery. “We’ve been impacted by the trade downturn, so we look forward to seeing more trade deals come together and we’re hopeful the market bounces back in the new year,” said Georgia Ports President and CEO Griff Lynch.

While Savannah posted annual growth, the Port of Brunswick displayed mixed results. Colonels Island Terminal handled 72,234 units of autos and heavy equipment in October up 5.4% or 3,700 units from the same month last year. For calendar year 2025 through October, however, Brunswick processed 689,662 units, marking a decrease of 9% or 67,750 units.

A major development shaping Georgia’s logistics future is GPA’s $127 million Blue Ridge Connector inland rail facility, located 50 miles from Atlanta. The project is nearing completion and remains on track for its Spring 2026 opening. “We’re making strong progress and remain on track for a Spring 2026 opening,” Lynch confirmed.

Once operational, the Blue Ridge Connector will be served by rail from the Port of Savannah, enhancing supply chain efficiency across Northeast Georgia  a region of more than 2 million residents. The facility is designed to ease pressure on Atlanta’s road networks, reduce emissions, and create new commercial opportunities. GPA Board Chairman Alec Poitevint noted, “Our Blue Ridge Connector service will create new opportunities for Georgia’s commerce to flow smoother and attract more jobs and prosperity to the Peach State. This is an example of how we support Governor Kemp and our State Legislature’s goal to make it easy to do business in Georgia.”

Environmental and logistical benefits are expected to be significant. In its first year, the facility will eliminate 52,000 truck trips through Atlanta  a figure that could grow to 400,000 trips annually as volumes increase. The rail alternative is also projected to reduce CO2 emissions by 90%, equal to 22,510 metric tonnes compared with traditional trucking routes.

GPA has also invested in community-focused infrastructure. To minimize local disruptions near Gainesville, Georgia, GPA contributed $4.8 million to Hall County road improvements, including eliminating an at-grade rail crossing, rerouting White Sulphur Road, and resurfacing Cagle Road. These upgrades, completed in late Summer 2025, ensure uninterrupted emergency access and smoother travel for residents once the new terminal becomes operational. Norfolk Southern will operate daily double stack train services Monday through Friday.

In another boost to Georgia’s logistics and cold chain ecosystem, builders and local officials recently broke ground on a new Perma Cold Logistics cold storage facility near Brunswick, reflecting continued investment momentum across the state.

With rising volumes, infrastructure enhancements, and a strategic shift toward greener logistics, the Port of Savannah and the broader GPA network are positioning Georgia as a competitive and future-ready hub in global trade.