b'26American Journal ofTransportation ajot.comPorts handling Ro/Ro takes steps to operate more efficientlyGeorgia Port Authority going big with Ro/Ro upscaling of the Port of Brunswick, GA.By Debra Phillips, AJOTThe global shipping industryas stereos and backup cameras.has continued to grow in recentOne way to minimize port years.Ascompaniesexpandcongestionistoprovideade-their global reach, the need forquate space for growth. In late more efficient and cost-effective2024,GPAdevelopedanother transportationsolutionsisuni- 122 acres of Ro/Ro storage; 50 versal,includingawiderangeadditionalacreswillbecom-ofproductssuchaswheeledpleted in August 2025. Colonels cargo, which is handled by roll- Islandhasanother244acres on/roll-off(Ro/Ro)shipping.available for development.While an excellent way to handle shipments of cars, motorcycles,i mProving TheP orT istrucks,railroadcars,andevenThegPa ss TraTegymilitary equipment, Ro/Ro facesNot only is the port expand-challenges,includingportcon- ing, but efforts are underway to gestionandtheneedforinfra- improve the harbor.structure development. (STEPScontinued onRo/Ro vessels require spe-page 29) Colonels Island south side railcialized port facilities like ramps andberths,whichmaynotbe readily available in all locations. Even in the most well-equipped locations,securityandavoid-ing theft are top priorities. Ro/Ro cargo also faces the risks of damage during loading, unload-ing,andtransit,especiallyin adverse weather conditions.Whilenoportcancontrol the weather, the Port of Brunswick on the coast of Georgia is commit-ted to the efficient handling of Ro/Ro units and continues to invest in infrastructure to allow for growth and avoid congestion.P orTi nvesTmenTsr educec ongesTion , a llowr oom Tog rowThePortofBrunswick averagesaround75,000Ro/Ro units per month. In 2024, Colo-nel Island Terminal became the nationsbusiestRo/Roport, handling901,000units,a50% increasefromthenumberof units handled by the port in 2020.At1,700acres,Colonels Island Terminal is the largest Ro/RoportintheU.S.withmore existingcapacityandroomto expand than any other Ro/Ro port in America. Its central location in the Southeast makes Brunswick easily accessible to high-volume markets via on-terminal rail and interstate connections.Colonels Island is only 2.5 miles from I-95, said Edward Fulford,ManagerofMedia RelationsfortheGeorgiaPort Authority (GPA), Fewer vehi-cle moves are required, because vehiclestorageandprocessing are done onsite in Brunswick.ThePortofBrunswicks southernlocationmeansnew vehiclesavoidroadde-icing on-terminalandduringtransit todealerships.TheColonels Island Terminal is home to four auto and heavy equipment pro-cessors: International Auto Pro-cessing, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, BMW, and Mercedes.On-siteprocessingmeans less handling before delivery to dealers, Fulford said.Processorsareresponsible for customizing vehicles before theygotodealerships.They perform services including pre-deliveryinspections,quality checks,remedialaction,and installation ofaccessoriessuch'