Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) completes new rail terminal as Port of Savannah works on clearing container backlog.
GPA is now operating nine new sets of rail tracks at the Mason Mega Rail Terminal increasing rail capacity to and from the Port of Savannah by 30%.
“The massive new Mason Mega Rail yard is coming online at the perfect time to help address the influx of cargo crossing the docks at the Port of Savannah,” said Governor Brian P Kemp.
“The added rail capacity, along with new container storage on and off terminal, are already serving as important tools to resolve the supply chain issues for Georgia and the nation.”
The US East Coast Port of Savannah, in common with many the US ports, has been suffering from congestion as handles record high volumes. The GPA said it handled over 500,000 teu in a single month for the first time ever in October and the Port of Savannah handled 504,350 teu in October, an increase of 8.7% or 40,250 teu over October 2020. The previous monthly record was 498,000 teu set in March this year.
Congestion is being cleared from the Port of Savannah with the GPA saying that there had been a 60% reduction in the amount of time containers were on the terminal expansion of space at the Garden City Terminal had helped reduce the number of vessels waiting to berth by 40%.
This week will see GPA open its first off-terminal overflow container yard less than five miles from the port.
“We’re setting up multiple inland locations that will be connected via truck or rail to the Port of Savannah,” said GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch. “We’re working with both CSX and Norfolk Southern to provide inland and off-dock locations to move these long-dwell imports off the facility. We think this will make a huge difference for both importers and exporters as we clear out our yard.”
Source: Seatrade Maritime News
