A total of 18.3 million tons of cargo was shipped through GPA owned and operated terminals in FY2005, an increase of 1.9 million tons or 11% over the previous year. At the Port of Brunswick, home to one of the nation's largest auto ports, a record 326,051 auto and machinery units were handled.
"Georgia's ports contribute thousands of jobs to our economy and are one of the main reasons this state is an attractive place to do business," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "I appreciate all the work that you ' the men and women of the Georgia Ports Authority ' are doing to make our ports so successful."
The record results were announced by Governor Perdue at GPA's board meeting. Senator Mack Mattingly was unanimously elected to become GPA's chairman of the board and board members Maxine H. Burton, Clinton M. Day and Rutledge A. "Rusty" Griffin, Jr. were sworn in by Governor Perdue.
When the expansion of the Port of Savannah is complete, it will feature more than 9,800 feet in linear berthing space, increasing what is already the largest single terminal container facility on the coast from Maine to Texas. GPA plans on completing Phase 1 to include the 2,100 foot-dock and 100 yards of terminal space by January 2006. Phase 2 includes an additional 74 acres of paved storage area and will be completed by May 2007. As a result of this expansion, 11,000 new direct and indirect jobs will be created, according to an economic impact model created by Georgia's University System.
"I am proud to report the Georgia Ports Authority showed solid increases in every category," said GPA's Executive Director Doug J. Marchand. "For the first time, our ports handled more than 18 million tons of cargo."
At the close of the fiscal year, total tonnage for all terminals was 18,364,709, a total of 1,936,455 tons or 11 percent more than the previous year. Container tonnage accounted for more than 16 million tons. TEUs increased 12 percent, or 188,511, for a total of 1,761,098 TEUs handled for FY05. Total breakbulk tonnage for all terminals increased 24.4 percent, or 564,299 tons, for a total of 2,872,661 tons. At Mayor's Point Terminal in Brunswick, 319,383 tons were handled, an 84.6 percent increase over the previous year, or 146,412 additional tons.
"This unparalleled growth is due to the commitment of our many partners across the state," said Marchand. "What we are seeing today is a collaborative effort. Thanks to our outstanding leadership team of accomplished employees and strong local, state and federal support, we have experienced more than 17 consecutive years of growth."
