WASHINGTON: Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal joined Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) officials late last week in announcing record cargo volumes for fiscal-year 2017 and new infrastructure development plans.
In a review of the ports’ work in FY2017, Deal announced growth of 8.3 percent in total tonnage across all terminals. Savannah handled 3.85 million 20-foot-equivalent units (TEUs), while Brunswick moved 607,000 auto and machinery units. No other Southeast port recorded greater volumes for those commodities, Deal said in a press release. FY2017 covers the period from July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017. In his state-of-the-ports speech, GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch announced two significant e-commerce developments: National furniture supplier Noble House will build a 630,000 square-foot facility that will serve the eastern United States, while home accessory company Best Choice will build 345,000 square feet. Those plans are in addition to 3 million square feet of distribution center space completed within the last year and 5.2 million square feet now under construction, GPA officials said.