Port of Savannah reports big increase in inbound cargo

In marked contrast to reports emanating from U.S. West Coast ports, The Georgia Ports Authority is boasting strong and sustained growth across all major markets in the month of February, including bulk, breakbulk, autos and machinery, and containerized freight.

In containerized trade, the Port of Savannah achieved a 14.2 percent improvement in February, for an increase of 35,287 twenty-foot equivalent container units. A total of 284,037 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) moved across GPA docks. For the fiscal year, GPA has moved 2.32 million TEUs, an increase of 13.7 percent or 279,882 TEUs. Georgia’s deepwater ports have seen similar fiscal year increases across all business categories, with breakbulk cargo up 11.2 percent (183,562 tons) to reach 1,821,830 tons. Bulk cargo has improved by 6.9 percent (127,731 tons) to reach 1.99 million tons for the eight-month period between July and February.

In automotive and machinery units, the GPA saw 8.9 percent growth in February, up 4,734 units to reach 57,654. Colonel’s Island Terminal in Brunswick led the growth, moving 55,482 units of roll-on/roll-off cargo. For the fiscal year to date, the GPA has moved 464,638 auto and machinery units, up 5.8 percent, or 25,648 units.

Also in the month of February, bulk commodities such as soybean meal and peanut pellets improved by 14.8 percent, and breakbulk cargo, such as iron and steel, spiked 24.8 percent.

As reported in Logistics Management, the mega-ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach had a dramatic decline in throughput last month.

Meanwhile, California’s third largest ocean cargo gateway also reported a dismal month. February cargo volume at the Port of Oakland declined 36.67 percent from last year, the Port said today. But it added that the cargo backlog that caused the decline is on its way out.

“Cargo is moving and the backlog is shrinking,” said Maritime Director John Driscoll. “With capacity again available in our marine terminals, volumes should begin building soon.”

The port said containerized import volume dropped 39% in February from the same period last year. Exports were down 34%.

Similar results are expected at most other major West Coast ports when results are announced this week. That’s the after-effect of a nine-month waterfront contract dispute that constricted cargo movement from Seattle to San Diego. Labor and management reached tentative agreement on a new pact Feb. 20. It awaits union ratification.

Analysts forecast an uptick in containerized West Coast trade volume as the cargo backlog disappears. In a sign that Oakland is recovering, the port said today only three vessels were holding station in the Pacific Ocean just beyond the Golden Gate awaiting terminal berths.

That’s a significant drop from the 20 vessels awaiting berths in mid-February, the port said.

A large part of the Oakland backlog resulted from severe congestion at Southern California ports. Late-arriving vessels from Los Angeles and Long Beach bunched up in Oakland, disrupting schedules and causing container yards to overflow.

The port said it has now cleared out much of the cargo backlog. Some lingering cargo delays are caused by ships still stranded in Southern California.

Import containers in Oakland are getting to customers faster the port said, because terminals have room to operate. It added that terminal gate operations have improved, which reduces waiting time for harbor truckers. The port warned of periodic volume spikes that could temporarily slow operations if Southern California’s vessel backlog is cleared.