The Colonel’s Island Terminal at the Georgia Port Authority’s Port of Brunswick, about 80 miles south of Savannah, has increased auto-processing capacity by 50 percent over the past year, all of which has been absorbed by processors and manufacturers.

A Mercedes car rolls off a ship at the Georgia Ports Authority’s Port of Brunswick, where auto-processing capacity has been boosted by 50 percent over the past year. (Photo courtesy of Georgia Ports Authority/Stephen B. Morton)
A Mercedes car rolls off a ship at the Georgia Ports Authority’s Port of Brunswick, where auto-processing capacity has been boosted by 50 percent over the past year. (Photo courtesy of Georgia Ports Authority/Stephen B. Morton)

“Since last year, we’ve been implementing an aggressive growth plan, enabling GPA and our auto-processing partners to win new customers and capture greater market share,” said Griff Lynch, the GPA’s executive director.

The Brunswick roll-on/roll-off terminal has expanded from 60,000 spaces in 2016 to 90,000 spaces today, for a total capacity of 800,000 cars per year.

That additional space already has been absorbed by auto processors Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, Mercedes and International Auto Processors.

The three port customers have increased their operations by a total of 200 acres on the island’s south side, bringing auto processing space to 600 acres.

Plans call for further expansion that will allow the GPA to move, process and store some 1.4 million vehicles annually – more than double the 607,000 units of roll-on/roll-off cargo handled in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017.

“Growing our infrastructure will allow GPA to better serve the needs of auto processors and manufacturers as they rely more heavily on our terminal to meet customer demand,” Lynch said. “This investment puts the Colonel’s Island facility on track to become the nation’s No. 1 auto port.”