b'JUNE 2025RO-RO TRANSPORTATION 29(STEPScontinued from page 26)Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and the state leg-islaturehaveallocated$6millionforspecialharbor improvements,Fulfordsaid.Congresshasalso approved another $11.35 million federal share of the harbor improvements, which will include a bend wid-ener, expansion of the turning basin, and an expanded meeting area in St. Simons Sound.Additional federal funding will support dredging the waterway to its fully authorized depth of 36-feet in the inner harbor and 38-feet in the outer harbor.OthereffortstoincreaseefficiencyatthePortof Brunswick include a new rail yard on the south side of the terminal. Phase One of this massive project will begin by the end of June, growing rail capacity from 150,000 autos to more than 340,000. The second phase will bring rail capacity to 590,000 vehicles.Handling cargo from farther-to-reach inland facto-ries is more cost-effective by rail, Fulford commented. Brunswick cargo moves on Class I railroads Norfolk Southern and CSX.In July, construction begins on a fourth berth for Ro/Ro vessels at the Port of Brunswick and is expectedSwitzerland-based Roll-on/Roll-off carrier Sallaum Lines has added the Port of Brunswick to an extensive Atlantic network linking to be completed in 2027. The expanded berth capac- Europe, North and South America, and Africa.(Georgia Ports)ity will better accommodate modern vessel ships carry-ing 10,800 CEUs (car equivalent units), Fulford said.These broader issues impact all cargo, including Ro/Ro,aspectofthePortofBrunswicktoprepareforfuture Brunswick terminals handled 733 vessel calls, includ- often resulting in delays and additional costs. growth. They also operate a series of inland ports.ing614fromRo/RovesselsatColonelsIsland,89For the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, con- Georgiasinlandportsprimarilyconsistofthe breakbulk carriers at the Mayors Point Terminal, andgestion has long been an issue. Factors that exacerbateAppalachianRegionalPortinCrandall,Georgia,and 30 bulk cargo ships. the problem, other than a global pandemic, are seasonalthe planned Northeast Georgia Inland Port, formerly the The GPA has also signed a 20-year strategic partner- peaks and trade imbalances. This congestion can impactBlue Ridge Connector, near Gainesville. The Bainbridge ship agreement with Wallenius Wilhelmsen. The agree- the efficient handling of Ro/Ro shipments by limitingTerminal is located on the Tri-Rivers System and serves mentconsolidatesWalleniusWilhelmsensGeorgiaavailable space and causing delays. as an inland port for handling cargo, fast and efficient logistics operation at the Port of Brunswick, includingTheseportsarealsoinvestingininfrastructurecross-state delivery.Ro/Ro in Brunswick and container trade in Savannah. upgrades, such as rail yards, truck lines, and automatedInlandPortsprovidefastandefficientcross-state No other Ro/Ro port in the U.S. can scale up likeequipment to improve Ro/Ro handling. They are exploringdelivery. Each round-trip container moved via the Geor-Colonels Island, said Fulford. new technologies, like automation and electric scheduling,gia inland port will offset 710 truck miles on Georgia to improve Ro/Ro operations and reduce congestion. highways.TheBlueRidgeConnectorwillprovidea P orTsF aces imilarc hallenges , a ddressed direct link to the Port of Savannah via Norfolk Southern.ind iFFerenTw ays h ow TheP orT oFB runswickB ecame The Some of the advantages of inland ports are the abil-Other major ports handling Ro/Ro cargo in the U.S.,l argesTr o /r oP orT ity to access rail service, sometimes more efficient than such as the Ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and NewThe Port of Brunswick has become a leader in theusing sea and road. They avoid heavy congestion at sea-York and New Jersey, face similar challenges, such asRo/Ro shipping industry for several reasons. The GPAports, provide increased capacity, consolidate import and port congestion or an inefficient inland transport system.has a long-range plan and is investing in almost every(STEPScontinued on page 31)M/V ARC Defenderat Port of Brunswick, GA'