GPA Secures Permit for New Container Terminal in Savannah
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The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved, following a three-year review process, the permit to build the Savannah Container Terminal. The new facility will have a capacity of 3.5 million TEUs, will be located on Hutchinson Island, and will enable the Port of Savannah to reach a total capacity of 12 million TEUs by the mid-2030s, according to information released during the annual State of the Port of Savannah event.
The Port of Savannah currently has a capacity of 7.75 million TEUs. Construction of the new terminal will begin in January 2028 and will require an investment of US$2.3 billion to develop a 350-acre facility, equivalent to approximately 142 hectares, which, according to the Journal of Commerce, will be a three-berth facility capable of handling the largest container vessels.
Investment Plan
The project is part of a broader infrastructure modernization program that includes the renovation of Ocean Terminal, with an investment of US$1.6 billion to boost its capacity from 200,000 to 1.75 million TEUs, with completion expected by late 2028. GPA maintains a self-funded investment plan of nearly US$5 billion for the next decade, in addition to the US$4.13 billion invested in port and inland infrastructure over the past ten years.
Leadership Transition
GPA's CEO, Griff Lynch, will step down from his position on August 1, 2027, after 16 years with the port authority. During his tenure, which began in 2011 as Chief Operating Officer, GPA's revenues grew 213%, container volumes rose 90%, and Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) cargo volumes increased 60%. Kevin Price, GPA's current president, will succeed him and was the one who announced the permit's approval during the event.
Complementary Infrastructure
During the event, Price also presented updates on the Talmadge Bridge, the Savannah harbor deepening and widening project, and the Gainesville inland port, and highlighted the contribution of the Georgia Department of Transportation in expanding the freight corridors that support the port's growth.
Ties with South America
The Port of Savannah serves as a gateway for containerized exports from Latin America to the southeastern United States, particularly agribusiness and refrigerated products. According to GPA statistics cited by MundoMaritimo, in 2025 the port received 67,514 TEUs from South America's west and east coasts, with west coast shipments growing 8.3% compared to 2024.
