Griff Lynch, Executive Director of the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), had plenty to share at the Gwinnett Chamber’s On Topic Luncheon, presented by Porter Steel. Held at The 1818 Club, the event offered a deep dive into the ever-expanding role of Georgia’s ports in shaping the state’s economic future.
Lynch wasted no time acknowledging the contributions of the Mason family, one of Gwinnett’s most prolific leaders, whose impact on port development has been instrumental. From there, he pulled back the lens to highlight long-term global trade trends. The Southeast remains the fastest-growing region in the U.S., driven by a surge in manufacturing and a rising tide of cargo from India, China, Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand. And here’s a striking fact—India, now the world’s most populous country, has positioned itself as a vital trade partner, with the U.S. East Coast sitting closer to India than to China. That proximity? A major advantage for Georgia.
Savannah’s port continues its meteoric rise, now the second most connected in the nation, trailing only New York. In 2024 alone, it handled 5.6 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), reflecting a remarkable 12.5% year-over-year growth. This makes Savannah the fastest-growing port on the East Coast, outpacing even the Port of New York and New Jersey. Add to that the impact of GPA’s Mason Mega Rail facility, which moved 579,000 containers in 2024, streamlining cargo movement like never before.
Of course, with growth comes challenges, and infrastructure remains the key to keeping Georgia’s ports ahead of the curve. The Savannah River channel currently presents a bottleneck for larger vessels, with wait times stretching up to 12 hours. GPA’s solution? Lay berths at each Terminal, which will shrink those delays down to just three hours. And by 2030, storage capacity will leap from 100,000 to 190,000 TEUs, aided by additional truck lanes that will boost efficiency by 72%. Meanwhile, a planned bridge elevation of 20 feet will further ensure Savannah is ready for the next generation of shipping giants.
But ports are more than just steel and shipping lanes—they’re about people. Lynch emphasized GPA’s commitment to sustainability and workforce development. The introduction of shore power alone will slash carbon emissions by 15,000 metric tons annually. The YES (Youth. Equipment. Safety.) Program continues to create career pathways in port operations, while homeownership assistance programs reinforce GPA’s investment in long-term workforce stability and community partnership.
In the bigger picture, Georgia’s ports aren’t just an economic powerhouse—they are the backbone of the state’s business success. Generating $40 billion in income and supporting Georgia’s status as the No. 1 state for business, the impact is undeniable. Lynch summed it up best: “The Savannah Port is GEORGIA’s Port.”
As global trade patterns evolve, one thing remains clear—Georgia Ports aren’t just keeping up; they’re leading the way. To learn more about GPA’s initiatives and what’s on the horizon, visit gaports.com. And to stay ahead of the game with the Gwinnett Chamber, check out our upcoming events at gwinnettchamber.org/events.
