To handle growing cargo volumes the Georgia Port Authority (GPA) is investing in four new ship-to-shore cranes, 30 rubber-tyre gantry cranes and infrastructure improvements.

 

"Across the logistics industry, focus has centred on GPA's ability to handle large volume increases with no congestion," executive director Curtis Foltz was quoted as saying in a report by American Journal of Transportation. 

 

The GPA board will spend US$141.8 million on capital improvements - $33.4 million for power infrastructure for cranes, paving the way for increased rail capacity.

 

Another $83.4 million will go towards property development and the purchase of new equipment. 

 

Of that, $33 million will pay for 30 new rubber-tyre gantry cranes. The addition of conductor rails to support Savannah's transition to more efficient electric RTGs will cost $11.5 million and allow 20 more RTGs to run on electricity instead of diesel.

 

The board also dedicated $16.5 million towards the purchase of four new ship-to-shore cranes. The super post-panamax cranes will cost a total of $48.19 million.

 

Meanwhile, $3 million will pay for property development needed for expanding business in general cargo at Savannah's Ocean Terminal. 

 

At Colonel's Island Terminal in Brunswick, $5.5 million will go to develop more land to support growing auto volumes. 

 

Brunswick and Savannah achieved a 14.1 per cent year-on-year increase on roll-on/roll-off traffic in April, after moving 77,574 units.

 

"Our long-time policy has been to maintain capacity at least 20 per cent above demand through timely infrastructure investments," added GPA vice chairman Jimmy Allgood.

 

(Source:shippingazette)