Savannah, Georgia – The Port of Brunswick has officially emerged as the leading U.S. port for automobiles, achieving double-digit growth over the past year, according to recent statements by Georgia officials. This rise was notably influenced by the closure of the Port of Baltimore, which experienced significant interruptions due to the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

During a luncheon event in Brunswick, a coastal community with a population of approximately 15,000, Georgia Ports Authority CEO Griff Lynch announced that the port handled a remarkable 841,000 vehicles during the 2024 calendar year. This figure marks an impressive increase of over 13% compared to the previous year. The surge in activity aligns with $262 million in enhancements that were finalized last fall, which increased the port’s capacity to process and store automobiles.

Lynch expressed his astonishment at the figures, stating in an interview, “That’s huge. I can’t believe it myself.” He added that this success reflects the idea of, “If you build it, they will come,” emphasizing the positive outcomes from the recent developments.

For over ten years, the Port of Baltimore held the title for the highest volume of automobile imports and exports in the U.S., but last year saw a decline of 11%, resulting in fewer than 750,000 vehicles handled, as noted by Richard Scher from the Maryland Port Administration. The decline can be attributed to the bridge incident that caused extended interruptions in the shipping channel, as the waterway gradually reopened over several months.

In 2023, the Port of Baltimore had reported handling a high of 847,000 automobiles. Scher remarked, “We are quite certain that, if not for the Key Bridge incident, we would’ve had another record year last year,” highlighting the impact of the unforeseen events on their operations.

Although the Port of Brunswick is often less prominent compared to its larger adjacent counterpart in Savannah, which ranks as the fourth-busiest U.S. port for retail goods, Georgia officials have deliberately invested in Brunswick. Lynch mentioned that these substantial upgrades have attracted automakers who are now favoring the Georgia port over neighboring facilities in Charleston, South Carolina, and Jacksonville, Florida.

Additionally, shipments of heavy equipment have surged by 160% within the past year, totaling nearly 29,000 units. This growth coincides with Brunswick’s recent enhancements that allow for on-site customization and accessory installation on imported construction and farm equipment.

Looking ahead, the Port of Brunswick has plans for additional improvements. Lynch indicated that a new berth designed for larger automobile transport ships is set to open in 2027. Moreover, a new railyard is being constructed, which will ultimately triple the port’s capacity to utilize rail transport for export deliveries of vehicles.

Georgia port officials are also seeking federal backing to enhance Brunswick’s shipping channel, as the Army Corps of Engineers has proposed widening certain sections of the waterway. This proposal aims to provide ships with improved maneuverability following the incident involving the South Korean freighter Golden Ray in 2019. Lynch stressed the necessity of maintenance dredging to restore the channel’s depths, which should reach up to 38 feet (11.5 meters).

“Clearly, Baltimore was handicapped last year,” Lynch noted. “We don’t want to take advantage of that. So we’ll see if we maintain it in 2025.”