Georgia Ports receives $120 million for electrical and rail infrastructure

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has outlined plans to improve

million.

A $49.8 million Maritime Administration grant will reportedly help ensure

uninterrupted power supply at the Port of Savannah’s Garden City Terminal.

The project will create an on-terminal electricity distribution network fed

by GPA-owned generators and substations. The ability to more quickly restore

power will protect temperature-controlled cargo such as food and medicine to

minimise disruptions in the event of a natural disaster.

Georgia Ports Authority President and CEO Griff Lynch said a more resilient

power supply is also key to a GPA initiative transitioning from diesel to

electric-powered yard equipment. GPA will match the federal grant with $88.2

million.

Moreover, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded GPA $48.7

million to provide shore power at a total of four berths, three in Savannah and

one at the Port of Brunswick. GPA will match the grant with $5.4 million in

local funding.

The new electrical infrastructure will help ocean carriers meet carbon

reduction goals by shutting off engines at the dock. Plug-in power will provide

an expected annual reduction of 13,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per

year, as well as a reduction of 250 tonnes of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides

and particulate matter.

The EPA grant will also fund 16 new electric terminal jockey trucks and

charging infrastructure. The electric trucks will replace older, diesel-powered

models. Both measures will reduce emissions on terminals and for the surrounding

neighbourhoods.

“We are constantly looking for ways to be a good steward for our local

communities near our ports in Savannah and Brunswick,” Lynch said.

“These federal grants will help us reduce the community impact of our ship,

rail and truck traffic operations and emissions. We’d like to thank our federal

partners for their role in supporting our plans to reduce our carbon footprint

and strengthen our business resiliency.”

Board Chairman Kent Fountain highlighted the overpass the Authority is

building at Ocean Terminal in Savannah which is now 60 per cent complete. It

will take trucks from the port directly onto the interstate highway, avoiding

local streets and reportedly providing more seamless access to inland

markets.

“While the $29 million grade separation may have been more costly, the

Georgia Ports Board chose this option to maintain the highest quality of life

for our neighbours,” Fountain said.

Additionally, the GPA has been awarded $26.5 million from the U.S.

Department of Transportation to help construct Phase II of the Colonel’s Island

Rail Improvements project at the Port of Brunswick. GPA and rail partner Genesee

& Wyoming Inc. will match the grant with $27.6 million.

The funding will complete the build-out of a new railyard needed to handle

the growing volume of automotive exports and imports moving through Brunswick,

reportedly the second busiest RoRo port in the US.

Phase I of the Brunswick rail project, funded by GPA at $22 million, is now

under construction. When both phases are complete, the expansion will add nearly

500,000 RoRo units of annual rail capacity, for a new total of approximately

700,000 units.

“Our customers have expressed interest in increased rail capacity for

exports of autos and high and heavy machinery. This project is a win-win for all

port stakeholders, reducing port impacts on the local community while delivering

needed capacity for exports,” Lynch added.

Earlier this April, the GPA and Wallenius Wilhelmsen inked a 20-year

terminal agreement to consolidate the company’s port and logistics activities at

the Port of Brunswick.