SAVANNAH, Ga. – Following its second-best performance on record in fiscal year 2025, the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has introduced an ambitious $5 billion, 10-year investment plan to revolutionize regional logistics and solidify its position as the premier gateway for the U.S. Southeast. The initiative, announced during the 57th annual Georgia International Trade Conference, coincides with a structured leadership succession plan and the opening of critical inland infrastructure.
A Multi-Billion Dollar Bet on Infrastructure
The Authority’s self-financed $5 billion strategy focuses on expanding capacity to handle a projected 54% growth in container throughput over the next decade. Central to this plan is the addition of five new big ship berths at Ocean Terminal and the Savannah Container Terminal, the most of any U.S. container port.
Complementing the berth expansion, GPA has initiated a formal feasibility study with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to further deepen and widen the Savannah Harbor. This study aims to enable two-way ship traffic and accommodate even larger vessels than the 16,000+ TEU ships currently calling on Savannah.
“Our goal is to be the benchmark for deepening projects,” said GPA President and CEO Griff Lynch. Lynch emphasized that these investments are driven by customer demands for predictability and cost savings in an increasingly volatile global trade environment.
Inland Ports and Intermodal Velocity
A major milestone in GPA’s “Network Georgia” initiative was reached on May 4, 2026, with the opening of the Gainesville Inland Port. The $134 million facility provides direct rail service via Norfolk Southern and is expected to transition 26,000 truckloads from highways to rail in its first year alone.
The Authority’s focus on rail is already yielding record results; the Mason Mega Rail Terminal handled 591,000 containers in 2025. Savannah currently boasts the lowest rail dwell time in the nation at 20 hours or less, a key differentiator as rail becomes more attractive for cargo traveling over 250 miles.
Research from Georgia Tech’s Supply Chain and Logistics Institute validates this strategy, showing that routing cargo through Savannah saves shippers more than $1,000 per container for deliveries to Atlanta, Memphis, and Nashville compared to West Coast gateways.
Leadership for the Next Phase
To guide these massive capital projects, GPA announced that Kevin Price will join the authority as President on July 1, 2026. Price, currently President of Gateway Terminals in Savannah and a veteran with over 30 years of maritime experience, is slated to succeed Griff Lynch as CEO in mid-2027.
Governor Brian Kemp praised the transition, noting that Lynch provided the vision to reach “new heights” while expressing confidence that Price will maintain the port’s “winning trajectory”. Kemp highlighted the ports’ role as an economic engine supporting more than 650,000 jobs and $174 billion in annual sales for Georgia businesses.
Financial Strength and State Support
The expansion is supported by strong financial health. In fiscal year 2025, GPA reported operating revenues of 798.9 million, a 14.3% increase. The Authority’s net position reached 3.08 billion, providing the capital necessary for long-term growth.
State-level support remains integrated with GPA’s growth. The Georgia Department of Transportation is launching several high-priority projects, including a cable replacement for the Talmadge Bridge. This project, expected to finish in 2029, will increase the bridge’s air draft to 205 feet, allowing the world’s largest container ships to pass beneath it. Additionally, the $126 million Brampton Road Connector will open in August 2026, providing a direct link between the Garden City Terminal and the interstate system.
Conclusion
As the Port of Brunswick also claims the title of the top U.S. port for annual automobile volumes, GPA’s dual-pillar strategy for container and roll-on/roll-off excellence appears firmly established. With billions in infrastructure already underway and a clear leadership path, Georgia is positioning itself to serve 70% of the U.S. population east of the Mississippi River for decades to come.
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