Brunswick port leads US auto trade as Georgia draws new plants
Georgia Ports Authority held its annual State of the Port of Brunswick, where CEO Griff Lynch and President Kevin Price outlined market conditions and future plans. Hyundai's Metaplant in Ellabell will create 8,500 jobs by 2031, and Rivian's $5 billion plant in Stanton Springs North is expected to create 7,500 long-term jobs by 2030. Audi plans to invest $4 billion in a plant near Macon with approximately 4,500 jobs, while GPA plans $5 billion in infrastructure over the next ten years.
**Port of Brunswick leads U.S. automotive exports and imports as more automotive manufacturers establish operations in the Peach State**
BRUNSWICK, Ga., November 10, 2026 – Georgia Ports Authority hosted their annual State of the Port of Brunswick with CEO Griff Lynch and President Kevin Price presenting updates on market conditions and future plans.
On the heels of the recent announcement by German-based Audi to build a factory in Georgia, Lynch and Price noted the success of the State of Georgia in attracting global auto brands to manufacture and move supply chains here.
Korean-based Hyundai Motor Group’s Metaplant in Ellabell, Ga is just 30 miles west of the Port of Savannah on a 3,000-acre site, that will create 8,500 jobs by 2031. The company has also attracted 22 suppliers located nearby.
Kia, also based in Korea, has operated their flagship U.S auto manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia on 2,200 acres since 2009. California-based, electric vehicle manufacturer, Rivian has broken ground for a manufacturing plant in Stanton Springs North, representing a $5 billion investment that is expected to create 7,500 long-term jobs by 2030. The company also established an East Coast headquarters in Atlanta. Audi, part of the Volkswagen Group, has made a long-term commitment to the American market, announcing a new location near Macon, Georgia. The company intends to invest $4 billion in its first U.S. plant in Georgia, which will be among the brand’s largest production footprints globally, creating approximately 4,500 jobs. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027 with production planned to start in the early 2030s. Other major global brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo amongst others use the Port of Brunswick for finished vehicle shipments and processing.
“Georgia Ports are creating opportunities for businesses to grow, enhancing long-term supply chain competitiveness on a state, regional, national and global level, generating new job growth in the port region and throughout the state,” said Griff Lynch, CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority.
One of the biggest advantages for auto manufacturers and logistics providers is the combination of seaport access, dedicated rail infrastructure, direct access to interstate highways and proximity to Southeastern markets. Vehicle imports and exports, finished vehicle distribution, parts warehousing, manufacturing and vehicle processing are all provided within the Brunswick supply chain.
The Port of Savannah is also a major gateway port for containerized auto parts and components with 40 vessel calls a week, 15,000 truck gate transactions daily and 42 doublestack trains per week from Savannah’s ondock rail facility, Mason Mega Rail to inland markets via Norfolk Southern and CSX. The Atlanta metropolitan area is a major consumer market as well as a distribution and transportation hub with excellent interstate and rail connectivity.
“The automotive manufacturing ecosystem continues to grow here. We’re also seeing strong growth in the heavy machinery market such as construction equipment and farm equipment,” added Kevin Price, President of Georgia Ports Authority.
Mr. Lynch and Mr. Price thanked the Georgia Ports employees, the GPA Board of Directors, the ILA, customers and the local community for their support of the Port of Brunswick.
“Georgia has been named the best state to do business for 13 consecutive years by business publications. The Ports of Brunswick and Savannah play a crucial role as a center of excellence in port and inland infrastructure operations. GPA is investing $5 billion over the next ten years in infrastructure improvements. On behalf of the board, we are pleased to support investment projects that will enable the ports to continue to grow and meet future demand, benefitting all the people of Georgia,” stated Georgia Ports Authority Chairman Alec Poitevint.
Supporting Communities
Mr. Price highlighted GPA’s community outreach efforts that respond to and support the City of Brunswick as part of the company’s community partnership.
GPA strengthened its partnerships with near-port communities, including Historic Brunswick and Midtown, through community outreach, volunteerism, and youth engagement.
GPA employees supported families impacted by the Brantley County wildfires by organizing donated supplies in partnership with the City of Brunswick. GPA also partnered with the Brunswick Police Department to provide a Youth COP Academy summer program with terminal tours and joined City of Brunswick Commissioner Kendra Rolle to host an Industry Day, introducing local students to port operations, economic impact and career opportunities in the maritime, transportation and logistics industries.
GPA’s YES+ program, launched in 2018, provides recent high school graduates in the Brunswick area with mentoring, apprenticeships and on-the-job experience, preparing participants for successful port careers.
ABOUT GEORGIA PORTS
Georgia’s Ports in Savannah and Brunswick are strategic gateways, creating the most competitive supply chains in the nation with their level of operations, connectivity and supply chain ecosystem. GPA has a self-financed investment plan of nearly $5 billion for the next ten years which will see five big ship container berths added in Savannah (the most of any U.S. container port) and a fourth RoRo berth in Brunswick to meet future growth. Over the past 10 years, the GPA board has approved $4.13 billion in infrastructure improvements. For further information, visit gaports.com or contact Tom Boyd, Chief Communications Officer, at tboyd@gaports.com, 912-964-3884.
261110 GPA Colonels Island FOR RELEASE
Three Roll-on/Roll-off ship berths at the Port of Brunswick handled 50 vessels in October. A fourth berth is under construction and 60% complete, with a planned opening in December 2027. The fourth berth will deliver faster turn times for ships and supply chains, while creating more capacity for ships to berth, including the newer generation of larger vessels carrying 10,800+ car equivalent units (CEU). (Georgia Ports)
261110 GPA BKSOP Griff Lynch FOR RELEASE
Georgia Ports Authority CEO Griff Lynch speaks at the annual State of the Port of Brunswick event, updating the audience on the port’s record growth of 277% over the past ten years, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026. (GPA Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
261110 GPA BKSOP Kevin Price FOR RELEASE
Georgia Ports Authority President Kevin Price speaks at the annual State of the Port of Brunswick event, sharing how the port will invest $5B over the next decade for future growth, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026. (GPA Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
