Reduced Tidal Restrictions Expected to Speed Up Cargo Flows on US East Coast
The Port of Savannah in the US state of Georgia has completed a nearly-seven-year harbour deepening project that authorities say will speed up cargo flows along the East Coast.
The project, which broke ground in September 2015, has deepened the harbour to 47 feet at mean low water, or average depth at low tide, reducing tidal restrictions for large container ships transiting the Savannah River.
Georgia Ports Authority, the port’s governing body, said the state’s exporters would have more opportunities to ship goods abroad, given the capacity of some vessels to load up to 1,000 containers worth of additional cargo.
The project’s initial feasibility studies began in 1997.
“After more than 20 years in the making, we are thrilled to mark this accomplishment today,” Griff Lynch, executive director of the GPA, said during a ceremony to mark the completion of the project.
“A deeper channel means more than just efficient passage for the largest vessels calling the US East Coast. It means continued opportunity, job growth and prosperity for the people of our state."
The Port of Savannah comprises the deepwater Garden City Terminal, the fourth busiest container handling facility in the US, and Ocean Terminal, which handles breakbulk and roll-on, roll-off operations.
The GPA recently approved an expansion project at Savannah that is expected to boost annual capacity from 6 million to 9.5 million TEUs by 2025.
PHOTOS
MAIN: Dredging the inner portion of the Savannah harbour near the Port of Savannah’s Garden City Terminal. CREDIT: Georgia Ports Authority
INSERT: Georgia Ports Authority executive director Griff Lynch speaks at a ceremony to mark completion of the project. CREDIT: Georgia Ports Authority
