The completion of the Savannah harbor deepening project was recognized by a ceremony attended by dignitaries, as has been the case with many other significant milestones.
The governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp, stated at the celebration on Friday that it was a “wonderful day for the state of Georgia and the nation.” This port is the gateway port for our region and the first choice for enterprises wishing to do business in the Southeast United States. It is a monument to a shared commitment between state and federal partners — such as our prior governors and current and former members of Congress who worked tirelessly to help move this project forward — to provide the infrastructure our economy requires to prosper.”
The Georgia Ports Authority, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Georgia Department of Transportation collaborated on the project, intended to reduce tidal limits for mega-ships transiting the Savannah River and increase the flow of cargo to and from global locations.
Because ships can carry more cargo, exporters now have more opportunities to ship their products internationally. According to the Georgia Ports Authority, speedier vessel service allows the port of Savannah to handle more ships each year.
The completion of the harbor deepening project comes at a reasonable time. According to American Shipper’s Greg Miller, the number of liner services from Asia calling on U.S. East Coast ports will increase to a new record high in the coming months as more cargo is diverted away from the Pacific gateway at Los Angeles/Long Beach, California.
Aside from that, due to port congestion last fall, Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM both temporarily avoided Savannah.
The feasibility studies for the deepening of the harbor began in 1997. Dredging to increase the shipping channel’s depth by 5 feet started in September 2015.
“After more than two decades in the making, we are overjoyed to be able to celebrate this milestone today,” GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch said in a statement. Having a deeper channel offers more than just faster passage for the larger vessels calling on the East Coast of the United States. It means that the people of our state will continue to have opportunities, see employment development, and prosper.”
According to the GPA, a Corps of Engineers assessment found that the port deepening is likely to generate more than $291 million in annual benefits for the nation — or around $7.70 for every dollar invested in the project —
According to the Georgia Ports Authority, an increased draft for vessels carrying more than 16,000 twenty-foot equivalent units will be provided by deepening the harbor to 47 feet at the average depth at low tide. This will allow ships to transit the Savannah River with more containers per trip and during more day hours. At high tide, the water can be as deep as 54 feet, according to Savannah’s 7-foot tidal swing and other factors. Because of the deeper water, ships may load up to an additional 1,000 containers at a time.
As GPA board chairman Joel Wooten explained, “that’s crucial to our exporters because it means Georgia-grown and manufactured goods reach overseas markets faster than they otherwise would.”
