By Karen E. Thuermer, AJOTBesides the top headlines regarding the Georgia Port Authority’s (GPA) Port of Savannah, its Port of Brunswick is also showing cargo volume improvements. GPA Executive Director Curtis J. Foltz recently announced that Port of Brunswick’s Colonel’s Island Terminal marked its highest tonnage volume ever when it experienced a remarkable recovery in Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 (July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010). For that period, the Port handled 2.3 million short tons at all terminals, compared to 1.9 million short tons in fiscal year 2009. “The 26.2 percent increase in total annual tonnage of 1.672 million tons compared with the previous year allowed the GPA to surpass the record levels reached in FY 2008 and continue its momentum gaining market share across the Southeast,” said Foltz. Volume gains can be attributed to a number of factors, including the economic recovery, a renewed consumer market for automobiles and the addition of a Mercedes-Benz vehicle processing center on Colonel’s Island Terminal. In January 2010, the new Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) facility opened its doors at the Port of Brunswick. As the second vehicle processing center on the southside of Colonel’s Island Terminal, the MBUSA center also brought three ocean carriers, NYK, MOL and K-Line, to start calling the port regularly. As a result, during FY 2010, the GPA posted a 16 percent increase in auto and machinery units handled with a total of 332,100 units. The Port increased its U.S. East Coast market share for autos by 66 percent and its total U.S. market share by 72 percent in the last three years. The Port of Brunwick’s 1,700-acres Colonel’s Island Terminal is key in moving both ro-ro and agri-bulk commodities. Its autoport facility alone handles more than 12 major manufacturers. With five auto processing facilities, the Port can also ensure the highest quality of vehicle processing. “Brunswick has become the sixth largest U.S. auto port by having the best workforce, unsurpassed infrastructure, room to grow and a sound marketing plan to capitalize on its strengths,” says GPA’s Chairman of the Board Alec L. Poitevint. Other factors helping to facilitate trade at the Port of Brunswick is the completion of maintenance dredging to bring the port’s entrance channel back to its authorized depth and width of 38 and 500 feet respectively. Anguilla Junction, an interchange rail yard with Norfolk Southern and CSX rail yards that serve Colonel’s Island, was also expanded with an additional 6,000 feet of track. In addition, the Port’s agribulk facility also added a new 10,000 ton grain tank to enhance storage capability of agricultural products. Consequently, in FY 2010, GPA posted its best year ever for agri-bulk, exporting more than one million tons—a 37-percent increase compared with FY 2009. Soybeans nearly doubled with a 93-percent increase compared with FY2009, as a strong export to Asia. Other commodities included soybean meal, barley malt and wheat.