Georgia anchorage, Vol. 41, no. 2 (2nd quarter 2001)

Second Quarter 2001
Director's Perspective
Port of Savannah Dedicates James D. Mason Intermodal Container Transfer Facility
Port of Savannah Sets New Record by Reaching Millionth TEU Milestone
Automakers Steer a Course to Georgia Ports

Second Quarter 2001

Volume 41 No. 2

Faster. Better. Bigger. All of these words may be used to describe Georgia Ports Authority developments during the second quarter of 2001. In June, we reached two significant milestones-handling more than one million twenty-foot containers during a single fiscal year and opening a new intermodal rail complex to better serve customers calling the Port of Savannah's Garden City Containerport Terminal. Our success is largely due to the fact that we take our customers and their needs seriously: and we appreciate them and their business. We realize the importance of moving cargo safely, effectively and productively. Our diverse port facilities are equipped to handle cargo quickly, efficiently, and to our customer's satisfaction. From containerized cargo to roro, bulk and breakbulk commodities, our deepwater ports and inland barge facilities offer the most modern and efficient terminals found anywhere in the U.S. Port facilities serve as an integral part of the world's comprehensive supply chain. With this in mind, we are actively involved in various support and service roles to expedite the movement of cargo from ship to door. We have and will continue to invest in improvements to enhance truck, rail and berthing facilities in order to serve our valued customers. The success that we have achieved thus far and the milestones that have taken place during this past quarter may be attributed first and foremost to our customers, our employees and all of the individuals who have put forth countless hours of service to facilitate international trade via port facilities in Georgia. I'm proud to be a member of such a dedicated and committed community of transportation professionals. The level of success that the Georgia Ports Authority has achieved thus far would not have been possible without everyone involved, including the support of local and state officials. By working together to serve the diverse needs of our customers in this dynamic industry, we produce significant benefits to strengthen the state's vibrant economy. I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to our customers and to everyone who has worked on behalf of the Georgia Ports Authority to support our growth. May the milestones that we have reached to date inspire all of us to even greater levels of achievement in the future.
Sincerely,

Doug J. Marchand Executive Director

Second Quarter 2001

Volume 41 No. 2

Port of Savannah Dedicates James D. Mason Intermodal Container Transfer Facility
On July 30, the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) hosted a ceremony to dedicate the James D. Mason Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF), located adjacent to the Port of Savannah's Garden City Containerport Terminal.
The ceremony included remarks by Georgia Governor Roy E. Barnes; GPA Chairperson Arthur M. Gignilliat, Jr.; Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner J. Tom Coleman; GPA Member Thomas J. Dillon and GPA Executive Director Doug J. Marchand.
"The James D. Mason Intermodal Container Transfer Facility is but one reason among many for shippers and carriers to choose the Port of Savannah," stated GPA Chairperson Arthur M. Gignilliat, Jr. "With a significantly improved intermodal handling capability, Savannah customers will enjoy a distinct advantage over competing ports in the South Atlantic range--along the entire U.S. East Coast--and throughout the Gulf region. Cargo will get to the market faster and cheaper--the hallmark of any good transportation system."
Following Gignilliat's welcome, GPA Member Thomas J. Dillon provided inspirational remarks to an audience of approximately 300 guests, along with personal remembrances about his colleague and friend, James D. Mason. Dillon read from the GPA Board's resolution, passed in 1998, in memory of former Authority Member James D. Mason. "It was remembered that Jimmy exhibited a remarkable understanding of Georgia's seemingly limitless marketability, both home and abroad; and that his tireless and unselfish contributions, both in public and private sectors to strengthen Georgia's recognition as a center for international trade and investment, were felt from the North Georgia Mountains to the Coastal Plains."
During his opening remarks, Gignilliat recognized Georgia's Secretary of State Cathy Cox, State Senator Eric Johnson, State Senator Regina Thomas, State Senator Billy Ray and Mayor of Pooler Buddy Carter who were in attendance for the dedication of Georgia's new intermodal complex.
After receiving a warm welcome from guests attending the dedication ceremony, Governor Roy E. Barnes commended the Authority for tremendous achievements on behalf of the state. "For more than five decades, the GPA has served as an essential facilitator for the movement of cargo through Georgia and the Southeast region and has been instrumental in luring international businesses such as Best Buy, K-Mart, The Home Depot, J. C. Bamford and Wal-Mart," stated Governor Barnes. "Today's dedication is another advance by the Authority to ensure continued growth in our trade sector. This intermodal container transfer facility, the first of its kind on the U.S. East Coast, will bring more efficiency to distribution and manufacturing centers importing and exporting cargo. It will also assist in accommodating the future growth of containerized cargo as we attract new international trading partners to utilize port facilities. This means more jobs for Georgians."
The Port of Savannah ranks as the seventh largest containerport in the nation in terms of the

number of TEU's, twenty-foot equivalent units, handled via port facilities. Savannah is one of approximately 50 ports in the world that has handled more than one million TEU's during a single fiscal year. With the addition of the Mason ICTF, the Port of Savannah will offer a flexible operating environment with overnight service to Atlanta and expedited service to key hubs in the Northeast, Midwest and Gulf regions.
The first phase of the Port of Savannah's new James D. Mason Intermodal Container Transfer Facility was operational in June 2001. The ICTF currently handles three unit trains per week, increasing to five unit trains per week in September. The facility will assist container shippers in saving time and expense by avoiding local ramps and gaining the benefit of unit train pricing. By providing direct overnight unit train service from Savannah to Atlanta, the Mason ICTF will expedite containerized cargo to and from destinations like Chicago, St. Louis, Memphis, New Orleans and Houston.
With the first phase of the project complete, the facility features four 2,500-foot tangent rail tracks to transfer import, export and domestic containers to and from rail cars, a 2,500-foot by-pass track, two 2,500-foot storage tracks and trackside truck queuing for expedited transfer of containers between rail and motor carrier.
The project is a result of various state and federal agencies working together to promote international trade opportunities for the State of Georgia. Georgia DOT Commissioner J. Tom Coleman stated, "The Georgia DOT is always working to provide our citizens the best seamless transportation system, connecting seaports, rail, roads and airports. The GPA is very important to this system and in keeping Georgia at the forefront of international trade. The Georgia DOT is proud of the partnership that we have with the Authority. Working together, our agencies will ensure that Georgia's gateways to the world remain competitive and foster economic growth for future generations."
The Mason ICTF will allow the Authority to continue to accommodate the growing volume of containerized cargo imported and exported via the Port of Savannah's Garden City Containerport Terminal. "The GPA has experienced phenomenal growth for 14 consecutive years--in terms of tonnage handled--with containerized cargo via the Port of Savannah leading the way," stated GPA Executive Director Doug J. Marchand. "This new intermodal complex we dedicate today in memory of Jimmy Mason will ensure that we maintain our position as a major container load center on the U.S. East Coast for many years to come. The time is right, the market is right and the need is crucial."
In his closing remarks, Gignilliat read a letter from Georgia U.S. Senator Zell Miller, "James D. `Jimmy' Mason was one of those rare people who, whether you had just met him or known him all of your life, you simply had to love. During each of Jimmy's six years with the Georgia Ports Authority, cargo grew. With this history it is fitting that he be honored with the naming of this most recent expansion in his honor. Of course, while we recognize the appropriateness of this occasion, Jimmy would have been far too humble to accept that a facility of this magnitude should ever be named after him." During his nearly six years as a member, Mason's persuasive leadership and experience greatly benefited the Authority. Serving in the capacities of chair, vice-chair, secretary-treasurer and member, cargo volume and carrier services soared to new heights.
During his many years of public service to the state of Georgia, Mason also served on the city

Council of Snellville, Ga., in the Georgia General Assembly as a state Representative from Gwinnett county and with the State Properties Commission.
Following the ceremony, guests were invited to a reception located inside the Mason ICTF Administration Building. The Mason ICTF Administration Building is adorned with a bronze plaque acknowledging the contributions of James D. Mason and naming State of Georgia Governor Roy E. Barnes, Authority Members and GPA Executive Director Doug J. Marchand.
The Authority also commissioned an oil portrait of James D. Mason, painted by local Savannah artist Sandra T. Colquitt. The award winning artist is a native of Savannah and is well known for her portraits of personalities in the area and throughout the Southeast. Colquitt holds a degree in Art and Art Education from the University of Georgia, with studies under Lamar Dodd, Howard Thomas, and Leonard Delonga.
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Second Quarter 2001

Volume 41 No. 2

Port of Savannah Sets New Record by Reaching Millionth TEU Milestone
The Georgia Ports Authority has broken yet another record by handling more than one million TEU's--1,018,068 TEU's to be exact--during Fiscal Year 2001, ending June 30, 2001. Tonnage reports indicate that Savannah's TEU count for FY01 rose 20% over the previous fiscal year's record of 849,360 TEU's, underscoring the Port of Savannah's significance as a major U.S. South Atlantic load center.
Having established one of the first fully operational deepwater container terminals in the U.S. South Atlantic some three decades ago, the Port of Savannah joins an exclusive list of approximately 50 ports worldwide that report annual container throughput levels exceeding one million TEU's. The Port of Savannah's portfolio of ocean carrier services exceeds 30 carriers conducting business in over 100 countries worldwide.
"With the arrival of Savannah's millionth TEU, there's a sense of excitement and accomplishment that permeates throughout the entire Georgia maritime community," stated Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Doug J. Marchand. "We have to begin by congratulating everyone involved--our customers, our employees, the entire maritime community from the ILA and transportation providers, to the stevedores and freight forwarders. This was an all-out team effort and I thank each and everyone involved for their contributions toward this extraordinary accomplishment."
With the close of FY2001, the Port of Savannah has achieved 13 consecutive years of record container throughput growth. In fact, during that 13 year span the port has moved more than eight million TEU's, enough to stretch end to end for 30,000 miles.
"As more and more deepwater ports scramble for room to expand container terminal operations, the GPA has at its disposal the necessary land and financial resources to assure our ability to accommodate customer growth for years to come. Furthermore, our fortunate geography, together with vast land resources, guarantees that import distribution centers and manufacturing concerns will continue to locate in close proximity to our deepwater operations, creating the necessary high-volume cargo base that continues to attract quality ocean carrier services to Savannah. Taking into account these factors, as well as a host of other advantages that weigh heavily in Savannah's favor, this will not be the last record we set," stated Marchand.
During fiscal year 2001, approximately 47% of Savannah's 1.02 million TEU's were import related. Major retailers of goods, such as clothing, home furnishings, textiles, and electronics--largely of Asian origin--are fueling the import growth. The following retailers have elected to build high-volume import distribution centers nearby the port: Best Buy, Bombay Company, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Kmart, Lowes, Michael's, Pier I imports, The Home Depot and Wal-Mart. Together, these Savannah-area distribution centers cover more than 8.3 million square feet of covered storage and account for over 100,000 containers each year via the Port of Savannah. Export commodities, representing 53% of

Savannah's containerized trade, include items ranging from Southeastern forest products to Georgia kaolin.
The Port of Savannah's vast land resources and excellent geographical location, combined with convenient rail and interstate access has continued to attract more and more import distribution centers and major manufacturing facilities to utilize deepwater port facilities. This growth has also created a high-volume cargo base that sustains a high-level of service by ocean carriers.
Marchand added, "To sustain our growth and our vital role as one of Georgia's most productive economic engines, we will aggressively challenge the competition and we will sensibly plan and implement improvements to further enhance our services in order to meet our customers' diversified needs."
A ceremony marking the millionth TEU achievement was held on June 29, 2001, before a crowd of Georgia maritime professionals and elected officials. During the event, a container symbolic of the millionth unit was displayed, adorned with a banner reading "Thanks A Million. Celebrating the Port of Savannah's Millionth TEU during Fiscal Year 2001."
Savannah Mayor Floyd Adams, Jr. proclaimed June 29, 2001, as Port of Savannah One-Millionth TEU Day and participated in the celebration. "Since 1733, when General Oglethorpe first proceeded up the Savannah River and established the Port of Savannah, the port has been integral to the success of Georgia," stated Mayor Adams. "By the GPA reaching its one-millionth TEU this will help solidify its continuous importance to this great state. I congratulate the GPA."
To commemorate the milestone and to congratulate everyone involved, the Georgia Ports Authority initiated an advertising campaign "Thanks A Million!" to extend the Authority's appreciation to port customers, port users, supporting industries and the state at large.
The Port of Savannah ranks as the seventh busiest container port in the United States. Over 76% of the cargo handled via the Port of Savannah is containerized.
Since Fiscal Year 1995, the GPA has invested more than $180 million in Savannah's container terminal operations and over $240 million in facility improvements. The one-millionth TEU celebration took place at the Port of Savannah's newest container berthing facility, CB7, which was completed approximately 36 months ago.
During the Fall of 2000, GPA implemented the "next generation" of container handling software in conjunction with installation of a new two-stage gate system at the Port of Savannah to increase productivity and efficiency of container operations. In June 2001, the GPA completed the first phase of the James D. Mason Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF), allowing for the expedited movement of intermodal cargo to and from destinations located throughout the U.S.
Within the next 24 months, plans are to begin construction on CB8, which will feature more than 1,700 linear feet of berthing and 85 acres of additional paved storage for the marshaling of containerized cargo. These improvements, together with the proposed deepening of the Savannah River Federal Navigation Channel, further establish the Port of Savannah as the

most logical U.S. East Coast gateway to the Southeast, Gulf and Midwest.
"Global commerce is heated competition," Marchand added. "Fortunately, the Port of Savannah continues to field an unbeatable team. Again, I thank each and everyone who supports the movement of cargo via the Port of Savannah."
A summary of the Georgia Ports Authority's Fiscal Year 2001 tonnage results will be presented in the third quarter issue of Georgia AnchorAge.
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Second Quarter 2001

Volume 41 No. 2

Automakers Steer a Course to Georgia Ports
What does the trading unit of a major automaker and two of the three Japanese automakers in the global top ten sales list have in common? All recently selected the Port of Savannah to move a combined 251 truckloads of project cargo to support their U.S. manufacturing and distribution operations. As well, all of their shipments originated in Japan.
Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota Tsusho and Honda recently dispatched project cargo shipments from Asia to the Port of Savannah's Garden City Terminal which made their way to key inland destinations in the U.S. Southeast and Midwest, stretching from Alabama to Michigan.
Completion of new U.S.-automotive facilities by Toyota Motor corporation and Honda alone are anticipated to boost production in the U.S. by over 240,000 units annually.
One of the many reasons that shippers opt to move cargo via Savannah's productive container and general cargo operations is that steamship lines have easy access to the Port of Savannah from Asia via both the Panama and Suez canals. Many of Savannah's ocean carriers designate the port as their "first-in" port of call, thus proving advantageous for "just-in-time" deliveries. This, coupled with Savannah's excellent geographic location, immediate access to two major interstates and rail, an on-terminal Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF), 100+ trucking services, two Class I rail providers and the efficiencies of a "single-terminal" operation combine to provide for the safe and rapid transport of cargo to the inland auto plants in one to two days.
Another attractive aspect of the Port of Savannah is the solid work experience GPA's personnel have in handling unique oversized project cargo--like the precision elements that make up an assembly line--where delays or damage could present set-backs to auto production schedules or the completion of an automotive facility. GPA's team of dedicated professionals has proven their ability to expedite specialized project cargo shipments for a vast array of shippers located worldwide.
GPA's personnel are known for their cooperative spirit and good old-fashioned personal attention, which is vital to building lasting relationships with customers who utilize deepwater terminal operations. To facilitate the movement of particular shipments and meet specific customer requirements, a project cargo team leader is assigned to each project shipment to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of the cargo--be it vessel to warehouse, vessel to rail or vessel to road.
Unique and oversized project shipments require highly specialized equipment. The Port of Savannah's Garden City Terminal offers an inventory of 13 container cranes, 11 of which are post-Panamax, with lifting capacities up to 78 short tons and access to heavy lift cranes through three area vendors who work in close alliance with GPA. The Authority is in the process of purchasing two new super post-Panamax container cranes, with an option to buy

two more. Ocean Terminal, Savannah's dedicated general cargo facility, provides an impressive inventory of heavy lift equipment, which includes a container crane and a mobile crane--each with a 45 short ton lifting capacity. Five gantry cranes with lifting capacities up to 175 short tons also illustrate the heavy-lift power at Savannah's immediate disposal. Additional material handling equipment includes 94 forklifts with single heavy lift capacities up to 26 short tons.
Where to store it? Not an issue. The Port of Savannah offers more than three million square feet of on-terminal covered storage for the handling of weather sensitive and oversized cargo.
GPA's deepwater terminal operations at the Port of Brunswick also specialize in their share of project cargo shipments. Brunswick's Colonel's Island Terminal and Mayor's Point Terminal together offer project cargo shippers immediate access to rail and interstate, as well as on-terminal laydown acreage and over 300,000 square feet of on-terminal covered storage. Heavy-lift requirements may be arranged via off-terminal service providers.
"We believe we have the right combination of diverse terminal and service capabilities to aggressively compete for project cargo shipments for the foreseeable future," stated GPA Director of Trade Development Byron X. Hock. "Georgia's ports have gained a deserved reputation as the gateways to the U.S. South Atlantic for the handling of overweight and overheight project shipments via services, experience and heavy-lift capabilities that competing ports simply cannot match. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to both Honda and Toyota for the opportunity to serve their logistical needs and we look forward to continuing to work with both automotive manufacturers on future projects."
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