March 18, 2021

Volume 10
Find the latest news about operations at Georgia's deepwater ports at gaports.com
Virtual tour offers unique look at GPA facilities

Have you ever wondered what it is like behind the gates of Georgia Ports? We’ve made it easy for you with our new
360-degree virtual tour. This interactive experience gives you an unprecedented look at Georgia Ports’ facilities across the state.

Now in its third year, Georgia Ports' Youth learning Equipment and Safety (Y.E.S) Program is strategically designed to attract skilled workers to ensure GPA stays ahead of future growth.

The program focuses on 2021 high school graduates who want to start a career after graduation.

Training places a special emphasis on equipment operation and safety with the new hires paired with experienced mentors. This year's program will include 12 trainees. Applications are being accepted through April 1, 2021.
Georgia Ports Authority representatives present a gift to Seaboard Marine officials to celebrate the vessel's first call to Ocean Terminal. From left, GPA Senior Director of Operations and Projects Susan Gardner, Seaboard Marine Regional Sales Manager Barbara Guzman, Seaboard Marine President Edward Gonzalez, Seaboard Marine Chief Officer Vladyslav Denysov, Seaboard Marine Captain Vladimir Grinchak, GPA Senior Director of Trade Development (Carrier/Non-Container Sales) Bruce Kuzma and Seaboard Marine Regional Operations Manager Jason Rivera.
Enhanced container operations open at GPA's Ocean Terminal
The Georgia Ports Authority has added 210,000 twenty-foot equivalent container units of capacity at the Port of Savannah through expanded container handling space and equipment at Ocean Terminal.

To support the new offering, GPA has commissioned six rubber-tired gantry cranes. The GPA also enhanced its Ocean Terminal docks, and installed a container truck gate directly across from the on-ramp onto U.S. 17/Interstate 16. The new container yard includes space for dry and refrigerated boxes. 
On Feb. 22, city leaders joined Georgia Ports Authority officials for a ribbon-cutting to open enhanced and improved container operations at Ocean Terminal.
Industrial sites spur economic development in Bryan County
VanTrust Real Estate, LLC, a full-service commercial real estate development company, recently broke ground on the 515-acre Interstate West industrial development in Bryan County.
Developments offer space in close proximity to Port of Savannah 
Despite the challenges over the past year, the Development Authority of Bryan County (DABC) continues to focus on attracting new industries to its communities.

The DABC recently acquired approximately 200 rail-served acres in the Belfast Commerce Park in Richmond Hill. The property is both Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) Certified and certified as a CSX Select Site. The property is being held specifically for manufacturing and assembly projects. 

Several other economic development projects in Bryan County are also under way. 
VanTrust Real Estate LLC, a full-service commercial real estate development company, has broken ground on the 515-acre Interstate West industrial development site.

The first phase of the project includes a 1.1 million square-foot crossdock warehouse, which is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2022.

The overall project offers companies flexible capacity with the ability to accommodate distribution warehouse projects ranging from 100,000 square feet to more than 3 million square feet.
News Briefs
Container filled with books bound
for Africa crosses Savannah docks 
On a rainy morning this winter, Libraries for Kids International Chairman Roy Austin and Vice Chairman Rick Harris visited Garden City Terminal to see the fulfillment of a dream that began three years ago on an African safari.

The men bid farewell to a shipping container filled with more than 22,000 books as it left the docks at the Port of Savannah bound for east Africa.

The shipment is one of eight containers set to head overseas by the summer to establish libraries for 1,200 schools, impacting nearly 180,000 students.

“I sat with the students and saw how hungry they are to learn,” Austin said. “It’s common for 20 to 30 children to share a single textbook.”
Libraries for Kids International Chairman Roy Austin, left, and Vice Chairman Rick Harris recently shipped a container filled with 22,000 books to Africa.