PORT UPDATE: SHORING UP SUPPLY CHAINS
deepening and widening the Savannah Harbor. The study will consider adding passing lanes for two-way ship traf c. An example of the power of state and federal partnerships, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will provide technical assistance and will retain nal review and approval authority. Additionally, construction on a fourth berth for RoRo ships at the Port of Brunswick is underway. The $100-million berth will open to vessels in December 2027, accommodating ships up to 975 feet long. Over the past two years, GPA has completed $284 million in self- nanced improvements in Brunswick. PORT OF LONG BEACH: SHOWING PERSISTENT STRENGTH While shifting tariff policies, rising fuel prices, and geopolitical uncertainty continue to challenge U.S. ports, the volume at many ports is encouraging. The Port of Long Beach, for example, recorded its busiest year ever in 2025, moving 9.9 million container units. At the midpoint of 2026, the port has moved 4.8 million TEUs, up 1.7% compared to the rst half of 2025. This sustained activity re ects both resilient consumer demand and the continued importance of West Coast gateways in global supply chains. The port’s performance underscores persistent strength in trans-Paci c trade ows, notes CEO Noel Hacegaba. Volume consistency also signals ongoing reliance on Southern California logistics infrastructure. The Port of Long Beach spans 11.9 square miles, serves 266 vessel operators, and connects to more than 400 global seaports. Its geographic position provides one of the most ef cient maritime corridors between East Asia and the United States. The port’s ef ciency translates directly into regional economic value, as faster transit times reduce inventory costs and improve supply chain reliability for U.S. importers and exporters.
Georgia Ports Authority invested $4.13 billion in terminal infrastructure over the past decade. Looking ahead to the next decade, GPA plans to invest $5 billion, growing annual capacity to 12 million TEUs.
200-acre terminal will increase its annual container capacity from 200,000 to 1.75 million TEUs. Other improvements include expanded truck gates and a $29-million overpass funded by GPA to carry exiting trucks directly onto the I-16 corridor. • SAVANNAH CONTAINER TERMINAL. To ensure ample future capacity, GPA plans a 3.5 million- TEU container terminal just across the Savannah River from Ocean Terminal. GPA anticipates receiving federal approval to begin construction this year. • BRUNSWICK RAIL. Phase 2 of the Colonels Island Southside Rail project will come online in 2029. The $54-million project will increase the Port of Brunswick’s annual rail capacity for automobiles to 590,000 units. Meanwhile, GPA’s Gainesville Inland Port opened in May 2026, extending the Port of Savannah’s reach into Northeast Georgia with daily rail service operated in partnership with Norfolk Southern. GPA expects the inland port to shift 26,000 containers from road to rail during its rst year, easing highway congestion and lowering emissions. At full build-out, Gainesville Inland Port will be able to handle up to 200,000 containers annually. GPA also has begun a study on further
Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) cargo at the Port of Brunswick. The scale of Savannah’s 1,500-acre Garden City Terminal has allowed GPA to grow capacity through infrastructure and ef ciency improvements. Over the past decade, Georgia Ports has contributed to the community by investing $4.13 billion in terminal infrastructure, and over the next decade GPA plans to invest $5 billion, growing annual capacity to 12 million twenty-foot equivalent container units. Savannah is one of the best-connected ports in the nation, offering 40 weekly container ship services to global destinations. To streamline off-terminal cargo ow, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has invested nearly $600 million in Savannah’s cargo beltway. Conscious of community needs, these investments ensure direct access to Interstates 95 and 16, keeping trucks off neighborhood streets. EXPANDING CAPACITY GPA is focused on expanding capacity and making it easier to do business at the port. A spokesperson cited these cases in point: • OCEAN TERMINAL. The $1.6-billion renovation of Ocean Terminal in Savannah is more than halfway complete. Improving the
40 Inbound Logistics • August 2026
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