Georgia Ports Authority plans $152 million capital plan for Brunswick

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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Georgia Ports Authority keeping ports open through “isolate and operate” strategy
Georgia Ports Authority/Stephen B. Morton

At the annual Brunswick State of the Port event October 20, Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) Executive Director Curtis Foltz discussed an ambitious $152 million capital improvement plan for Brunswick terminals during the next 10 years.

 

“In order to ensure efficient processing of cargo, our capacity must remain higher than current demand,” Foltz said. “To that end, we will be improving Brunswick facilities serving each of our major business sectors here, including automotive, breakbulk and bulk cargo.”

Foltz said that over the past decade, the GPA has spent $46.2 million on infrastructure upgrades at the Port of Brunswick. Over the next 10 years, the authority plans to more than triple that investment, calling for another $152 million in improvements.

In one of those projects, the GPA intends to add a fourth berth to serve roll-on/roll-off cargo at Colonel’s Island Terminal. The GPA has submitted a permit request to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the new berth and hopes to begin construction in 2016.

Brunswick’s FY2015 automotive tonnage made the port the fastest growing major Ro/Ro terminal in the U.S., with a 10-year cumulative annual growth rate of 12.8 percent, compared to the national growth rate average for Ro/Ro ports from FY2005 to FY2015 of 4.5 percent.

“Served by eight ocean carriers, Colonel’s Island Terminal offers three modern Ro/Ro berths and four on-terminal auto processors, handling cargo for more than 60 auto and heavy machinery manufacturers,” said GPA Board Vice Chairman Jimmy Allgood. “With 696 acres in use and 641 acres permitted for expansion on Colonel’s Island, GPA can easily accommodate additional Ro/Ro business.”

The GPA is currently preparing 40 acres on the south side of Colonel’s Island to be ready for new port customers. The U.S. Southeast is the fastest growing consumer market for autos.

Fiscal Year 2016 projects include additional earthwork on the south side of Colonel’s Island, the next phase of the Anguilla Junction Rail Yard expansion, the first phase of a berth upgrade at Mayor’s Point, East River Terminal improvements and continued upgrades at the Colonel’s Island agribulk facility.

At Anguilla Junction, the GPA is funding the addition of 8,470 feet of track, a 28 percent increase, to provide a total of 39,039 feet of track. The rail yard is being improved to better handle export automobiles built in Alabama, Tennessee and Indiana.

“Another important infrastructure improvement is the maintenance dredging that must be funded by the federal government,” said GPA Chairman James Walters. “While the president has included $5.8 million in his budget proposal for FY2016, Congress has yet to pass an Energy and Water Appropriations Bill at this time. Securing sufficient funding for Brunswick harbor maintenance is our top priority right now.”

 

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