Georgia Ports secures approval for new Savannah container terminal

By Helena Pierce15 October 2026, 13:30 · 2 min read

Rendering shows the future three berth Savannah Container Terminal pictured at the top, and the two berth Ocean Terminal facility across the river, adding five big ship container berths to meet future demand. (Georgia Ports)

The planned facility will add 3.5 million TEU of annual handling capacity as the Port of Savannah advances its long-term expansion programme.

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has secured approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the development of the Savannah Container Terminal, marking a significant step in the Port of Savannah’s long-term infrastructure expansion plans.

The permit was announced on 14 October 2026 during the authority’s annual State of the Port of Savannah event, following a three-year regulatory review process.

The proposed terminal represents an investment of US$2.3 billion and will provide an additional 3.5 million TEU of annual container handling capacity. Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2028, with completion expected in the mid-2030s.

New terminal to expand Savannah’s capacity

The Savannah Container Terminal will occupy approximately 350 acres on Hutchison Island and is being designed to accommodate the largest container vessels.

According to GPA, the development forms part of a broader infrastructure programme intended to increase the Port of Savannah’s total annual container handling capacity to approximately 12 million TEU, compared with its current capacity of 7.75 million TEU.

With the permit secured, Georgia Ports can proceed with the next stages of project development ahead of the planned construction start.

The authority has not announced a specific opening date for the new terminal beyond its expected completion in the mid-2030s.

Georgia Ports CEO Griff Lynch, right, and President Kevin Price, left, deliver the Savannah State of the Port address, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, at the Savannah Convention Center in Savannah, Ga. (GPA Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

Wider infrastructure investment programme

The Savannah Container Terminal is part of Georgia Ports’ broader infrastructure strategy, which includes approximately US$5 billion in planned investment in port facilities.

Another major project is the US$1.6 billion renovation of Ocean Terminal, where annual container handling capacity is expected to increase from 200,000 TEU to 1.75 million TEU.

The Ocean Terminal upgrade is scheduled for completion by the end of 2028.

GPA Chairman Alec Poitevint said the authority’s investment programme follows approximately US$4.13 billion spent on port and inland infrastructure over the previous decade.

The authority also reported that container volumes had increased by 90% since 2011, alongside a 60% increase in roll-on/roll-off volumes and a 213% rise in revenues over the same period.

The newly approved Savannah Container Terminal represents another stage in the port’s planned expansion, although its additional handling capacity will not become available until construction is completed.