Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) recorded a 22 percent container throughput growth in August, nine consecutive months of double-digit growth this year.
“August represented the second highest total containers handled through our ports, and the month’s total volume was only slightly behind the record set in July 2010,” said executive director Curtis Foltz.
“Container volumes remained strong as the retail sector moved holiday goods earlier due to concerns about both vessel capacity and equipment availability overseas going into the traditional peak shipping season.”
In August, the GPA moved 139,281 containers, which was a 22 percent increase compared with 114,162 containers moved in August 2009. Overall tonnage yielded 2,069,501 tonnes, a 10.2 percent increase compared with August last year.
“Market conditions seem to be moderating somewhat from the prior six months and are expected to steadily decline through mid-year 2011, as retailers’ slow inventory replacements and global demand for raw materials reduce,” said Foltz.
“There are signs of significant moderation in demand beyond October and through mid-year 2011 as the US economy struggles to recover.”
In Brunswick, the GPA handled 33,828 auto units in August 2010, which was an increase of 55.5 percent compared with August last year.
The Ro/Ro growth at the port of Brunswick was due to a 66 percent increase in imports, 24-percent in exports and 96-percent in heavy machinery compared with August 2009.
These volume gains were attributed to a renewed consumer market for automobiles and increased sales.
Vessel calls were up 61.5 percent in August due to Mercedes-Benz USA’s new processing centre at Colonel’s Island Terminal bringing three new steamship lines, NYK K-Line and MOL, to the port of Brunswick.
“August represented the second highest total containers handled through our ports, and the month’s total volume was only slightly behind the record set in July 2010,” said executive director Curtis Foltz.
“Container volumes remained strong as the retail sector moved holiday goods earlier due to concerns about both vessel capacity and equipment availability overseas going into the traditional peak shipping season.”
In August, the GPA moved 139,281 containers, which was a 22 percent increase compared with 114,162 containers moved in August 2009. Overall tonnage yielded 2,069,501 tonnes, a 10.2 percent increase compared with August last year.
“Market conditions seem to be moderating somewhat from the prior six months and are expected to steadily decline through mid-year 2011, as retailers’ slow inventory replacements and global demand for raw materials reduce,” said Foltz.
“There are signs of significant moderation in demand beyond October and through mid-year 2011 as the US economy struggles to recover.”
In Brunswick, the GPA handled 33,828 auto units in August 2010, which was an increase of 55.5 percent compared with August last year.
The Ro/Ro growth at the port of Brunswick was due to a 66 percent increase in imports, 24-percent in exports and 96-percent in heavy machinery compared with August 2009.
These volume gains were attributed to a renewed consumer market for automobiles and increased sales.
Vessel calls were up 61.5 percent in August due to Mercedes-Benz USA’s new processing centre at Colonel’s Island Terminal bringing three new steamship lines, NYK K-Line and MOL, to the port of Brunswick.