Governor Perdue Announces Expansion of Port of Savannah

Atlanta - Governor Sonny Perdue announced today his approval of a new containerberth at the Port of Savannah that will expand the port's capacity by 20 percent. Containerberth 8 is projected to create 10,800 new direct and indirect jobs and will generate $242 million in direct and indirect wages. Containerberth 8 will include an additional 2,100 feet in linear berthing space and 100 additional acres of container handling and storage area. Upon completion, the Port of Savannah will feature over 9,800 feet in linear berthing space, increasing the capacity of the largest single terminal container facility on the eastern seaboard.

"Expanding the capacity of the Port of Savannah is a wise investment that will help our economy and create jobs for Georgians," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "It is vitally important that we continue to strengthen Georgia's ports to ensure continued prosperity for our coastal region and the entire state."

Governor Perdue also announced the Georgia Ports Authority's (GPA) fiscal year-end statistics. For the first time in Georgia's history, the state's ports have surpassed the one and a half million mark for TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit) handled in a single fiscal year. At the close of the year (July '02-June '03), 1,505,278 TEUs were shipped through GPA - representing a 31.5 percent growth over last year. Currently, 80,100 direct and indirect jobs statewide result from port activity, with more than $1.8 billion in direct and indirect wages generated each year.

The Port of Brunswick experienced a 25.2 percent growth in the shipment of auto and machinery units last fiscal year. The Port of Brunswick surpassed the 300,000 mark for the shipment of auto and machinery units in a single year for the first time in its history. 314,625 auto and machinery units were shipped through the Port of Brunswick from July 2002 through June 2003, 63,394 more auto and machinery units than last year.

"The Port of Brunswick continues to increase its productivity and our state is reaping the rewards of its success," added Perdue.

GPA operates modern and efficient deepwater facilities in Savannah and Brunswick, GA and provides value added services to facilitate international trade. Inland barge terminals operated under the auspices of the GPA are located in Bainbridge and Columbus, GA.