Doug J. Marchand, Executive Director of the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) and Maersk Line announced the addition of the Maersk East Med Service further strengthening Georgia's ability to grow new import and export markets in the Mediterranean.

'We would like to thank Maersk Line for having the confidence in the Georgia Ports Authority's facilities and services to accommodate their business to the Southeastern region of the United States,' said Marchand. 'The Maersk East Med Service will add to Savannah's Mediterranean trade which has been steadily growing in recent years.'

With the addition of the Maersk East Med Service, Savannah is a port of call for five of the seven dedicated Mediterranean to U.S. East Coast services. 'The combination of extensive room to grow on Savannah's terminal, distribution centers, trade parks and solid export opportunities is providing shippers and beneficial cargo owners a compelling reason to choose Savannah,' said Marchand.

The East Med Service commenced January 11th with the Maersk Maine calling on Savannah. The new service will deploy six vessels and port rotation will be Newark, NJ, Newport News VA, Savannah, GA, Alexandria, Egypt, Haifa, Israel, Izmir, Turkey and Gioia Tauro (Eastbound) and Cagliara (Westbound), Italy.

Last year Maersk Line and the GPA signed a 20-year agreement making the Port of Savannah one of its primary ports of call in the South Atlantic. Today, Maersk Line has four services calling the Port of Savannah, including the East Med Service.

Georgia's deepwater ports and inland barge terminals support more than 275,968 jobs throughout the state annually and contribute $10.8 billion in income, $35.4 billion in revenue and some $1.4 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia's bustling economy.