Port of Savannah reports record September container volumes
The Port of Savannah handled 504,015 TEUs in September 2026, setting a new record for the month as container throughput increased by 3.7% compared with September 2025.
According to the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), the performance brought total container volumes for the first quarter of its fiscal year to more than 1.5 million TEUs, an increase of 40,560 TEUs, or 2.7%, year-on-year. The result marked the second-highest fiscal first quarter in the authority’s history, behind the corresponding period of fiscal year 2023.
Import volumes were a major contributor to September’s performance, with loaded imports rising by 5.5% compared with the same month last year. GPA attributed the increase to sustained consumer spending, an extended peak shipping season and typhoon-related disruptions at Asian ports that shifted some cargo movements into September.
The authority also pointed to Savannah’s proximity to major retail distribution centres and its terminal operations as factors supporting cargo flows.
Terminal expansion and inland connectivity
Georgia Ports Authority continues to develop its infrastructure as part of efforts to accommodate additional container volumes.
The $1.6 billion redevelopment of Ocean Terminal is now more than 60% complete. Once finished, the project is expected to increase the facility’s annual container handling capacity from 200,000 TEUs to 1.75 million TEUs.
Meanwhile, the Brampton Road Connector, a Georgia Department of Transportation project that opened in July 2026, has established a third high-volume truck corridor serving Gate 3 at Garden City Terminal. The new connection allows trucks to avoid local neighbourhood roads and at-grade railway crossings.
GPA also reported a 13% increase in container volumes at the Appalachian Regional Port during the first quarter of its fiscal year compared with the corresponding period last year.
“Thanks to our Georgia Ports employees, Gateway Terminals and the ILA, we are providing world-class service to our customers while handling record volumes,” said Griff Lynch, CEO of Georgia Ports Authority.
Panama Canal developments and Brunswick volumes
The authority also highlighted improving conditions at the Panama Canal, citing information from the Panama Canal Authority.
According to the announcement, the canal is scheduled to increase its maximum daily Neopanamax vessel transits to 10 from October 15, bringing the total permitted daily transits across all vessel sizes to 33. The maximum authorised draft for Neopanamax vessels stood at 49 feet as of September 28.
Separately, the Port of Brunswick handled 43,415 units of roll-on/roll-off cargo in September, representing a 22% decline compared with the same month in 2025.
Heavy machinery volumes, however, increased by nearly 12% to 3,754 units, compared with 3,359 units a year earlier.
