The Seaboard Marine vessel the AS Savanna has become the first dedicated container ship to call at the Port of Savannah’s new Ocean Terminal.
In a statement, the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) said the vessel docked on 3 March 2021 and was an important milestone in the hub’s expansion.
We’re happy to welcome Seaboard Marine to inaugurate Ocean Terminal’s expanded container offerings,” said GPA’s Executive Director Griff Lynch.
“This service plays an important role in the movement of chilled produce into the U.S. Southeast via Savannah, greatly improving the speed and efficiency of perishable cargo handling.”
With a carrying capacity of 1,713 TEU, the AS Savanna handled a total of 550 TEU of import and export cargo while calling on Ocean Terminal.
Seaboard Marine President Edward Gonzalez, said, “Since 2019, we’ve offered fast, reliable service via direct links between Savannah, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
“With Savannah in our service network, we’ve provided cargo owners convenient transportation options to key countries in the Western Hemisphere.”
The Georgia Ports Authority has added 210,000 TEU of annual capacity through the expanded container operation at Ocean Terminal.
GPA Chief Commercial Officer Cliff Pyron was quoted, “At Georgia Ports, we want our customers to know that we are here for their long-term needs.
“Our terminals are expandable, and we are scaling up our capabilities right now through multiple projects. Adding more than 200,000 TEUs of new capacity at Ocean Terminal is just one part of an exciting evolution going on at the Port of Savannah.”
The expanded container service at Ocean Terminal provides direct access to US 17, linking the Port with Interstates 95 and 16 for expedited transport to area distribution centers and inland markets.
Bruce Kuzma, GPA senior director of Trade Development, said the GPA was “committed to working with our shipping line customers as we roll out this new offering in Savannah to ensure the efficiency of cargo movement from dock to destination.”
To support the new offering, GPA has commissioned six rubber-tired gantry cranes. The GPA also enhanced its Ocean Terminal docks and installed a container truck gate directly across from the on-ramp onto US 17/Interstate 16. The new container yard includes space for dry and refrigerated boxes.
GPA Board Chairman Will McKnight said, “The Georgia Ports Authority has long followed the principle of steady investment to keep terminal capacity ahead of demand so that Savannah and Brunswick can handle cargo surges whenever they occur.”
“This latest addition is a prime example of that philosophy in action.”
