Georgia Ports Authority

What Georgia Ports Authority does

Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) is a state government agency established by the Georgia legislature in 1945, operating Georgia's deepwater ports in Savannah and Brunswick plus three inland terminals (Appalachian Regional Port, Gainesville Inland Port, Bainbridge Terminal). The authority manages the Port of Savannah, the third-busiest container gateway in the United States with 5.7 million TEUs handled in fiscal year 2025 (up 8.6% year-over-year), and the Port of Brunswick, the nation's busiest roll-on/roll-off (Ro/Ro) and automotive gateway with 901,000 Ro/Ro units handled in 2024. The asset base includes Garden City Terminal, the largest single-operator container facility in North America at 1,345 acres with 42 ship-to-shore cranes and 237 rubber-tire gantry cranes, alongside Mason Mega Rail, the largest on-terminal intermodal facility in North America with 2 million TEU annual lift capacity and an industry-leading 20-hour ship-to-rail dwell time. Port of Brunswick handles automobiles and heavy machinery through Colonels Island Terminal, which operates four Ro/Ro berths and four on-terminal auto processors including Mercedes-Benz USA and Wallenius Wilhelmsen.

GPA serves five core customer segments: ocean carriers (Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, Evergreen, OOCL, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, Sallaum Lines), beneficial cargo owners (Walmart, Home Depot, UPS, Samsung), automotive manufacturers and processors, motor carriers and trucking companies (~14,000 daily truck gate moves with 32-minute average turn time), and Class I railroads (CSX, Norfolk Southern). Revenue is generated through transaction-based terminal handling fees (berth fees, wharfage, crane operations), usage-based container storage, rail intermodal lift charges, Ro/Ro and auto processing fees, project cargo handling, and recurring real estate and property leases. The technology stack includes the N4 terminal operating system, WebAccess container tracking portal, vessel scheduling systems, the Insta-Rate tariff lookup platform, the GPA Trucker App, and electronic gate systems. GPA operates internationally through agency representatives in South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, India, and Shanghai. A $5 billion self-financed 10-year capital plan is underway, adding five big ship berths and expanding inland port reach.

Name

Georgia Ports Authority

Legal name

Georgia Ports Authority

Website

https://gaports.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Georgia Ports Authority is a state government agency operating Georgia's deepwater ports (Savannah and Brunswick) plus inland rail terminals, serving ocean carriers, retailers, automotive manufacturers, and shippers as the third-busiest U.S. container gateway and nation's busiest Ro/Ro port.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Port Terminal Operations & Intermodal Logistics

NAICS

Port and Harbor Operations (488310), Marine Cargo Handling (48832), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Maritime & Port Authorities (Public Ports, Harbors, Ferries Terminals) (BPAIALAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Feeder & Short-Sea Container Terminals (TLAHAAAC), Off-Dock Container Yards (Near-Port Overflow Yards) (TLALAJAK)

Keywords

• Port terminal operations
• Container cargo handling
• Intermodal rail services
• Roll-on roll-off shipping
• Inland port logistics

Headquarters

HQ city

Savannah

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Terminal Handling Services: Cargo handling fees including ship-to-shore crane operations, rubber-tire-gantry crane operations, jockey trucks, on-terminal intermodal capabilities, container storage yards, and reefer stacks. Revenue generated through berth fees, wharfage, and cargo handling charges.
2. Container Storage: Long-term and short-term container storage options including GCT West which offers space to store 20,000 containers on terminal. Revenue from storage fees for importers and exporters.
3. MTO Schedules (Tariffs): Marine Terminal Operator schedules and tariffs published through Insta-Rate system providing rate information by service and commodity.
4. Rail Intermodal Services: On-terminal rail services through Mason Mega Rail with CSX and Norfolk Southern connections, generating revenue from rail lift operations and intermodal transfer services.
5. Ro/Ro and Auto Processing: Roll-on/roll-off cargo handling and on-terminal auto processing services at Colonels Island Terminal, including processing facilities operated by partners.
6. Real Estate and Property Leases: Properties and contracts department manages leases and property rentals at port facilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Georgia Ports Authority operates Georgia's deepwater seaports (Port of Savannah and Port of Brunswick), providing ship-to-shore container handling, roll-on/roll-off (Ro/Ro) vehicle processing, breakbulk and project cargo handling, refrigerated cargo services, and on-terminal intermodal rail transfer. The network includes Garden City Terminal (the largest single-operator container facility in North America), Ocean Terminal, Colonels Island Terminal (the nation's busiest Ro/Ro port), and three inland ports connected via Class I rail to inland markets.

Product overview

Georgia Ports Authority operates a comprehensive port management and logistics platform comprising two deepwater seaports (Savannah and Brunswick) and three inland ports. The Port of Savannah, the third-busiest U.S. container gateway, features Garden City Terminal as the largest single-operator container facility in North America and Ocean Terminal for container operations. The Port of Brunswick is the nation's leading Ro/Ro and automotive gateway. The network includes inland ports (Appalachian Regional Port, Gainesville Inland Port, Bainbridge) connected by rail. Supporting platforms include WebAccess for real-time container tracking, Insta-Rate for tariff/rate information, Mason Mega Rail for intermodal operations, and the GPA Trucker App for driver services. Together with road and rail infrastructure (including the Mid-American Arc), these facilities create integrated supply chain solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Garden City Terminal: Largest single-operator container facility in North America, handling containerized cargo at the Port of Savannah
• Ocean Terminal
• Mason Mega Rail
• Appalachian Regional Port
• Gainesville Inland Port
• Colonels Island Terminal
• Mayor's Point Terminal

Products and services

• Port of Savannah
• Port of Brunswick
• Garden City Terminal
• Colonels Island Terminal
• Mason Mega Rail
• Appalachian Regional Port
• Gainesville Inland Port
• Project Cargo Handling
• Refrigerated Cargo (Reefer)
• Breakbulk Cargo Handling
• WebAccess Container Tracking Platform
• Insta-Rate Tariff Platform
• GPA Trucker App
• Georgia Ports Site Selection Tool

Quantifiable outcome

• Saves shippers over $1,000 per container compared to West Coast gateways
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Sallaum LinesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 20 June 2025Switzerland-based Ro/Ro carrier that added Port of Brunswick to its Atlantic network, expanding Ro/Ro shipping options.
• Wallenius WilhelmsencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner20-year strategic partnership agreement with Wallenius Wilhelmsen, a major Ro/Ro carrier. Wallenius Wilhelmsen operates on-terminal auto processing at Colonels Island Terminal in Brunswick.
• International Auto ProcessingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-terminal auto processor at Colonels Island Terminal handling vehicle import/export operations.
• Mercedes-Benz USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-terminal auto processor at Colonels Island Terminal with dedicated processing facilities.
• CSX TransportationcoreTechnology or IntegrationClass I railroad serving Mason Mega Rail and Appalachian Regional Port. Provides on-terminal rail intermodal service connecting to inland markets.
• Norfolk Southern RailwaycoreTechnology or IntegrationClass I railroad serving Mason Mega Rail and Gainesville Inland Port. Provides on-terminal rail intermodal service and direct connection to Rocky Mount, NC via CSX Carolina Connector (CCX).
• Logistec U.S.A.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOperates Marine Port Terminals at Mayor's Point Terminal, specializing in handling breakbulk and bulk commodities.
• Green MarineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGPA joined Green Marine, the leading voluntary environmental certification program for North America's maritime industry, demonstrating commitment to environmental stewardship.
• State of GeorgiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState government partner in port operations and infrastructure development. Georgia Department of Transportation investing in cargo beltway and highway connectors including Jimmy Deloach Connector, Brampton Road Connector, and I-16 expansion.
• Murray CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner in joint development of Appalachian Regional Port in Crandall, Georgia.
• U.S. Customs and Border ProtectioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerU.S. CBP maintains presence on terminal at Colonels Island for vehicle processing and customs clearance.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSDA works with GPA for perishable cargo inspections. New $44M on-terminal CES warehouse for U.S. Customs & Border Protection and Department of Agriculture speeds inspection process for chilled cargo.
• Wilhelmsen Ships ServicescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational agency representatives in South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, and India representing GPA and providing local sales and customer service.
• Georgia TechminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeorgia Tech conducts research on port competitiveness and supply chain efficiency. Research found Savannah saves shippers $1,000 per container compared to West Coast ports.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves20 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Port Houston: Operates one of the largest US container ports, handling roughly 4M TEUs annually with significant bulk and breakbulk operations. Comparable as a major US container gateway with similar capital investment programs and Gulf/Southeast market overlap.
• Virginia Port Authority (Port of Virginia): Operates the Port of Virginia, another major US East Coast container gateway handling roughly 3.5M TEUs. Direct competitor for East Coast discretionary container volumes with similar deepwater capabilities and inland rail connectivity.
• Port of Long Beach: Second-busiest US container port located adjacent to Port of Los Angeles, handling ~8-9M TEUs annually. Comparable as a deepwater container terminal with similar crane counts, intermodal rail connections, and Asia-Pacific trade focus.
• Port of New York and New Jersey: Operates the busiest container port on the US East Coast, handling roughly 9-10M TEUs. Direct competitor for Atlantic basin container volumes with similar infrastructure scale and role as a primary US gateway for European and Mediterranean trade.
• South Carolina Ports Authority: Operates the Port of Charleston, a direct Southeast Atlantic competitor handling roughly 1.5-2M TEUs. Comparable container gateway competing for the same Carolinas and Southeast hinterland with similar inland port strategies.
• Port of Los Angeles: Operates the busiest container port in the United States, handling roughly 9-10M TEUs annually. Directly comparable as a major container gateway competing for Asia-Pacific import volume, with similar functions in container handling, intermodal rail, and vessel operations.

Regional players

• Port of Miami (Miami-Dade County): Operates PortMiami, a Southeast US container and cruise port handling roughly 1M TEUs. Comparable state/county port authority competing for Florida container volume and Latin America trade.
• Maryland Port Administration (Port of Baltimore): Operates the Port of Baltimore, a major Mid-Atlantic port handling roughly 1M TEUs plus significant Ro/Ro and breakbulk. Comparable state port authority with similar public ownership structure and Atlantic basin trade focus.
• North Carolina Ports: Operates the Port of Wilmington and Port of Morehead City, smaller container and bulk ports in the Carolinas. Comparable state port authority structure competing for similar Southeast hinterland cargo.
• JAXPORT (Jacksonville Port Authority): Operates the Port of Jacksonville, a Southeast US container and vehicle port handling roughly 1.4M TEUs. Comparable regional Atlantic port competing for Florida and Southeast container volume with similar Ro/Ro capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/gaports

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles35 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Georgia Ports Authority