The Georgia Ports Authority Board has approved a plan to renovate and realign the docks at the Port of Savannah’s Ocean Terminal to better accommodate its expanding container operation.
“For nearly 40 years, Ocean Terminal has been handling a mix of container ships and breakbulk vessels,” said Griff Lynch, GPA executive director. “The realignment is part of a broader effort to transform the terminal into an all-container operation, shifting most breakbulk cargo to the Port of Brunswick.”
The 200-acre Ocean Terminal facility will be modified in two phases.
Work will begin with rebuilding the docks to provide 2,800 linear feet of berth space, capable of serving two big ships simultaneously. The docks will be served by new ship-to-shore cranes.
“As the dock construction progresses, GPA will continue to operate container ships at Ocean Terminal,” said Ed McCarthy, COO at Georgia Ports. “The work will be conducted alongside container and breakbulk operations.”
Apart from new cranes and berth enhancements, the overall project will bring expanded gate facilities and paving to allow for 1.5m teu of annual capacity. Wharf renovations are slated to start in January 2023, with completion of the entire terminal redevelopment expected in 2026.
Breakbulk cargo carried by Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean will shift to Colonel’s Island Terminal in Brunswick. Construction has started on 360,000 square feet of dockside warehousing that will serve auto processing, as well as three additional buildings and 85 acres of auto storage space on the south side of the island.
Over the past year, the GPA Board has approved $1.17bn in infrastructure advancements, including expansions to berth, container yard and rail infrastructure.
