Savannah, Georgia, is making waves in the shipping industry as it competes to become the top U.S. auto port. The executive overseeing Georgia’s seaports recently announced that a record-breaking 830,000 automobiles passed through the Port of Brunswick in the 2024 fiscal year. This impressive number brings the port neck-and-neck with the current top U.S. auto port.
The Georgia Ports Authority reported that the combined number of auto and heavy machinery units handled by Brunswick and the Port of Savannah exceeded 876,000 in the fiscal year ending June 30, marking a significant 21% increase from the previous year. Ports authority CEO Griff Lynch expressed his satisfaction with these results, calling it „a great year for us.“
One of the driving factors behind the surge in automobile shipments through the Port of Brunswick is the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. With U.S. auto sales experiencing a substantial increase in 2023, Georgia has been investing $262 million in upgrades and expansions at the Brunswick port to accommodate this growth. Lynch mentioned that these projects are nearing completion and are expected to be finished by fall.
Looking ahead, Lynch predicted that automobile volumes in Brunswick could surpass the Port of Baltimore, the current top U.S. seaport for autos, by 2026. Recent cargo numbers from Georgia indicate that Brunswick is already on track to achieve this goal, with the Port of Baltimore handling 847,000 auto imports and exports in the 2023 calendar year.
The Port of Baltimore faced challenges earlier this year when the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed, leading to a temporary shutdown of the shipping channel. During this time, auto shipments were diverted to other ports, including Brunswick, which received approximately 14,000 cars and trucks in April and May. Lynch acknowledged that while Baltimore may still hold the top spot, Brunswick is steadily closing the gap.
Georgia’s success in attracting automobile shipments has been attributed to automakers shifting their business to Brunswick from neighboring ports like Charleston, South Carolina, and Jacksonville, Florida. Additionally, Georgia’s efforts to become a hub for electric vehicle production could further boost auto shipments through Brunswick in the future.
Despite the promising outlook for Brunswick, the Port of Savannah also plays a crucial role in Georgia’s shipping industry. In the latest fiscal year, Savannah handled 5.25 million container units, making it the fourth-busiest U.S. port for containerized cargo. Container volumes experienced a slight decline compared to the previous year, but Lynch noted that they have started to rebound in recent months.
Overall, Georgia’s seaports are experiencing significant growth and are poised to become key players in the U.S. shipping industry. With ongoing investments in infrastructure and a strategic focus on attracting diverse cargo, Savannah and Brunswick are well-positioned to continue their upward trajectory in the years to come.