Georgia Governor Announces Increased Cargo Capacity at Port of Savannah
January 26, 2009On January 22, Georgia’s Governor Sonny Perdue announced the opening of the Chatham Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF) at the Georgia Ports Authority’s (GPA) Garden City Terminal. The new facility features three working tracks at 2,145 ft. each and a total of 12,406 ft. of storage tracks.
Construction of GPA’s second ICTF was completed in early December, and it received its first train on December 22, 2008. Rubber-tired gantry (RTG) cranes are being used in an effort to increase efficiency and utilize cleaner burning ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel to cut emissions.
“The completion of this project will increase our reliance on rail to move cargo and in turn will help Georgia and the nation reduce fuel usage and carbon emissions throughout the transportation chain,” said GPA Chairman of the Board Steve Green.
CSX will provide seven weekly services through the facility.
“The Chatham Intermodal Container Transfer Facility represents an investment in the future and is a model for how transportation modes can work together for the efficient, environmentally friendly delivery of freight,” Clarence Gooden, executive vice president for CSX Corporation, said. “CSX is proud to be a partner in this growing enterprise, which provides an international gateway through which to export North American goods. We look forward to offering expanded intermodal and carload services over our rail network of more than 21,000 miles.”
Cargo received by rail accounts for 18% of business at Garden City Terminal. During the past five calendar years, Savannah’s on-dock rail volumes have increased 67%.
“We are taking the opportunity during this time to improve rail connectivity, increase on-terminal capacity and decrease the time it takes to process cargo,” said GPA Executive Director Doug J. Marchand. “These projects will give our customers additional choices when it comes to moving cargo - enabling them to better import and export their products throughout the world.”
