The proximity of the Port of Savannah, Ga., to major producers, its direct access via road and rail, broad global network and responsiveness to customer needs have recently made it the top port in the nation for the export of containerized agricultural goods.

"Agriculture is a major driver for Georgia's economy, contributing $74 billion in annual economic benefit and nearly 400,000 jobs across the state," Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said. "As this country's number-one port for the export of agricultural products, Savannah provides vital support for the state and nation, helping our farmers reach overseas buyers efficiently."

In calendar year 2019, agriculture accounted for 60% of Savannah's exports, or more than 843,000 twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs). Forest products such as wood pulp, paper and logs made up the largest category of goods, followed by clay, cotton, poultry and peanuts.

For the fiscal year to date (July 2019 to May 2020), total loaded exports have increased by 15,500 TEUs to 1.33 million TEUs.

"The production of raw material and agricultural goods, along with their supply chains, have remained strong throughout the pandemic," Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) executive director Griff Lynch said. "The powerful commitment by the agricultural sector mirrors that of GPA's employees, the International Longshoremen's Assn. and the rest of our maritime logistics community."

During the COVID-19 pandemic, GPA has focused on ensuring that both chassis and empty containers are available to support the movement of export commodities. Through its association with the South Atlantic Chassis Pool II and the completion of a new on-terminal chassis yard, the Port of Savannah provides customers with access to the largest chassis pool in the Southeast. In addition, the GPA team has focused on cargo owners and other contacts to ensure a reliable supply of containers.

On-terminal projects to expand export capacity have continued throughout the crisis, including the Mason Mega Rail, with the first nine of 18 new working tracks completed and two new rail-mounted gantry cranes slated to begin work in July.

GPA's inland terminal, the Appalachian Regional Port (ARP), has seen increased volumes and export commodities coming from northwest Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama. At the Port of Savannah, GPA said it has increased its on-time performance of vessel operations to achieve its best performance in three years.

"GPA's laser focus on the seamless flow of export commodities and the impressive growth at the ARP have created new avenues for American farmers to serve international customers," GPA board chairman Will McKnight said.

Lynch recently addressed a webinar of more than 125 agricultural exporters who are members of the Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC). AgTC is the largest organization of its kind, and its members include agricultural exporters and importers, freight forwarders, agriculture trade associations and state departments of agriculture.

AgTC executive director Peter Friedmann stated, "For our members, the cost-effective movement of goods is a key factor in the profitability of farm and processor operations; working with the leadership of the nation's international gateways, such as Port of Savannah, serves mutual interests of the port and ag exporters in growing cargo volumes. We look forward to expanding these relationships and appreciate Mr. Lynch's most effective dialogue with our members this week."

During the question-and-answer portion of the webinar, Lynch was joined by GPA chief operating officer Ed McCarthy and chief commercial officer Cliff Pyron.

"We were pleased to have such a productive discussion with the AgTC members," Lynch said. "Savannah's longtime service to commodity exporters and extensive on-terminal infrastructure for refrigerated goods makes GPA a strong partner for the agricultural community."

Georgia's deepwater ports and inland barge terminals support more than 439,000 jobs throughout the state annually and contribute $25 billion in income, $106 billion in revenue and $2.9 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia's economy. The Port of Savannah handled 8.5% of U.S. containerized cargo volume and 10% of all U.S. containerized exports in FY2017.