Posted on June 17, 2026
The nearly $1.6 billion project to transform the Georgia Ports Authority’s Ocean Terminal into a full container facility hit the halfway mark last week.
GPA announced Ocean Terminal’s renovations are now 55% complete. The project will grow the 200-acre facility from 200,000 twenty-foot equivalent container units to 1.75 million TEUs, according to a GPA press release.
The project is part of GPA’s master plan.
“Growth in population and manufacturing across the Southeast means we must be ready to meet future demand,” said GPA President and CEO Griff Lynch. “Improving Ocean Terminal now will allow us to continue the efficient flow of cargo between our docks and inland markets that customers rely on.”
One of two ship berths have been upgraded at the terminal, the press release said. The second berth is expected to be completed in late June 2026, which will make Ocean Terminal’s dock span 2,650 feet.
The active berth currently serves as a staging area for ships waiting to access Garden City Terminal, shortening the time it takes containers to move from ship to shore.
Meanwhile, GPA is also renovating the entire container yard. The first half of the yard renovation is expected to open in fall of 2027 with full completion by the end of 2028.
Ocean Terminal will only work small ships until the full yard is completed, the press release said. At full buildout, the terminal will increase the Port of Savannah’s annual capacity to nine million TEUs.
GPA is also touting its truck access to the terminal. The key project for terminal access is a $29 million overpass that routes trucks directly to Interstate 16 and U.S. Highway 17 from terminal gates.
A $29 million overpass funded by Georgia Ports routes trucks from the Port of Savannah’s Ocean Terminal onto U.S. 17/Interstate 16, avoiding neighborhood streets.
The press release added that Ocean Terminal will have 12 inbound truck gates and six outbound lanes, according to the press release. Port officials say the expanded gates improve efficiency, the press release said.
Ocean Terminal eclipsing the halfway mark came after the Port of Savannah saw a 14% reduction in April’s cargo compared to the same month of the previous year. Port officials said after May’s board meeting the reduction was largely due to April 2025 being a record month as shippers frontloaded cargo ahead of anticipated tariffs.
Still, those tariffs and geo-political conflicts have caused some volatility in the global shipping industry. GPA leaders have maintained that the authority will continue to pursue its long-term growth plans to be prepared when industry headwinds subside.
Lynch saidGPA plans to invest $5 billion in capacity enhancements over the next 10 years.
