“Consumer spending remained strong during December and marked the end of an exceptional calendar year,” said Foltz. “The impressive monthly total was significant considering the pronounced peak season and last year’s efforts to replenish depleted inventory stocks. Our volume growth in the balance of FY2011 will depend on the ability of the economic recovery to outpace the levels experienced during the first half of 2010.”
For the first time, the Port of Savannah’s volume exceeded 2.8 million TEUs in 2010. Strong export volume outpaced imports with a record 1,488,670 TEU exports, which comprised 52.8 percent of Savannah’s total throughput. Moving approximately 1,000 loads of frozen poultry each week, the Port of Savannah handles more containerized poultry than any other port in the nation and the most refrigerated containerized exports on the U.S. East Coast.
“As a beacon for the state's commitment to economic expansion, our ports provide a foundation for our economy that guides new opportunities to Georgia and the Southeast,” said Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal. “We are poised to strengthen our global leadership position thanks to the deepwater ports in Savannah and Brunswick.”
The Port of Brunswick continued to post double-digit increases in auto/machinery units with 40,537 units for December 2010, which represents a 21.5-percent increase compared with December 2009 and ends the first half of the fiscal year with an overall increase of 52.2 percent.
“Record volume for the Port of Savannah represents a vital economic engine for the Southeast and reflects the global demand for Georgia-based exports,” said GPA Chairman of the Board Alec L. Poitevint. “Throughout the year, Savannah retained its position as the fourth largest and fastest growing major container port, while strengthening its importance to the national logistics and transportation system.
