The Georgia Ports Authority is leveraging technology to improve cargo visibility for customers, move more containers and ensure fluid logistics, said Susan Gardner, GPA vice president of operations.

Speaking at the annual Georgia Logistics Summit in Atlanta, Gardner said over the next 10 years, the Port of Savannah expects to grow volumes from the current 5.5 million twenty-foot equivalent container units per year, to nearly 9 million TEUs per year.

The Port of Savannah is the fastest growing port on the U.S. East and Gulf coasts. In 2024, Savannah averaged 35 ships per week, 7,000 trucks and 14,000 gate moves between 4 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily. The port handles 42 double-stack trains per week, and in May will introduce a new lay berth at Ocean Terminal to optimize operations and serve vessels more quickly. Savannah delivers the industry’s best container dwell times between vessel offload and departing rail, averaging just 22 hours in March.

Garden City Terminal uses equipment from Konecranes, a Finnish maker of ship-to-shore and yard cranes.

“To accommodate our growth, over the past 10 years we’ve invested $3.2 billion in infrastructure. We’re planning another $4.5 billion in infrastructure improvements across our berth and yard capacity, truck gates and rail connections,” she said. “We’ve also deployed an array of technologies delivering better cargo visibility and real-time terminal metrics.” 

GPA’s terminal operating system provides immediate updates on a container’s position and status.

The technology also tracks vessel productivity in container moves per hour, provides real-time data on truck turn times and percentage of dual (export-import) moves by truck, and tracks rail container dwell time on terminal.

Gardner said the data helps GPA to focus its efforts in terms of process improvement and infrastructure investment. 

“The wealth of data we now have available allows better planning at Georgia Ports,” Gardner said. “It’s really at the heart of our operational decision-making and long-term plans.”

The greater visibility also aids GPA’s logistics partners.

“At our gates, we use a PIN system for each truck trip,” Gardner said. “Through our new GPA Trucker’s App, drivers are able to determine if their container is cleared for pickup, saving time and avoiding wasted trips. It also allows the trucker to see which gate would be the most efficient entrance for them at the GPA. In addition, the app provides information such as adjustments to gate hours on weekends or holidays.”

GPA’s ability to make seven-day forecasts on gate transaction volumes allows for more accurate staffing for GPA equipment operators and members of the International Longshoremen’s Association.

“It is important that we include technology advancements in all of our port infrastructure improvements to ensure we are staying ahead of the growing demand in a way that sets us up for success in the future.” Gardner said.

Other speakers at the Georgia Logistics Summit included Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson, Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry and former Governor Sonny Perdue, chancellor of the University System of Georgia.