James_March-April_2026_web - Flipbook - Page 17
INLAND INFRASTRUCTURE
In fact, GPA is currently
financing a $4.5 billion port
and inland infrastructure plan
which will add five new container berths in Savannah, the
largest berth expansion of any
U.S. port and one new berth in
Brunswick— already one of the
busiest RoRo (“roll on, roll off”)
facilities in the country. Nearly
1,700 container ships reached
Georgia ports in 2025, with an
average of 1,878 containers on
and off each vessel.
Two other interesting facts
about Brunswick: 1) No other
U.S. auto port has as much room
to meet customer needs and
2) Brunswick’s Colonels Island
terminal is already the country’s
single largest auto port. It handles autos manufactured by Kia
in West Point, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, GM and many
other brands.
Before my interview concluded, Lynch gave me the latest
information about how the GPA’s
Gainesville facility is taking
shape. He said construction on
the $134 million Blue Ridge Connector Inland Terminal “is almost
finished, and our latest addition
to the port’s inland rail network
will open for operation later this
year. Having a rail connection in
the region will further enhance
Northeast Georgia as an attractive location for businesses that
rely on global logistics.” He notes
that direct rail service via Norfolk
Southern between Northeast
Georgia and Savannah will provide a new option to a long-haul
truck move of around 600 miles
roundtrip, reducing highway congestion, cutting emissions and
avoiding costly empty container
moves to or from the coast.
The rail terminal links directly
to the Savannah port’s global ship-
ping network of 39 ships per week
allowing companies in Northeast
Georgia to be able to move goods
to and from international markets
with greater efficiency.
“Our role at Georgia Ports is to
support economic development
and prosperity across the state,”
Lynch said. “Our Appalachian Regional Port has played a key role
in attracting firms to Northwest
Georgia that choose locations
based on logistics infrastructure.
The Blue Ridge Connector will do
the same for Northeast Georgia.”
This latest inland port project that benefits Georgia further
underscores that the GPA ship is
continuing to sail smoothly and
successfully with a great crew in
place led by a highly capable captain who James is proud to salute
as the 2026 Georgian of the Year.
Phil Kent is the CEO and Publisher of James
and James Magazine Online.
M AR C H /A PRIL 2026
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