The Georgia Ports Authority sets export record for the third yr consecutive yr; the Alabama Port Authority and CSX partner to launch a brand new intermodal facility; and the Port of Cleveland receives $32 million to modernize its facilities.
Georgia breaks export record with almost $50B in trade in 2023
For the third consecutive yr, exports from the state of Georgia hit an all-time high, reaching $49.7 billion in 2023, in keeping with the state’s Department of Economic Development.
The previous record for exports was $47 billion set in 2022. Top exports included civilian aircrafts ($8.2 billion), motorized vehicles ($3.1 billion), turbojets ($2.3 billion), poultry ($1.5 billion) and chemical woodpulp ($1.3 billion).
“For the third yr in a row, Georgia has broken every record in terms of exports, bringing billions of dollars to communities all across the state,” Gov. Brian Kemp said in a news release. “With an estimated 87% of those exports coming from small businesses, these numbers are further evidence of just how Georgia means opportunity for all. International trade touches every county within the state, supporting jobs in logistics, manufacturing, agriculture and more.”
During 2023, the state’s top export markets were Canada ($7.6 billion), Mexico ($4.8 billion), China ($3.9 billion), Germany ($2.6 billion) and Singapore ($2.2 billion).
Georgia ranked seventh within the U.S. for dollar value of trade in 2023, facilitating greater than $186 billion. Georgia ranked twelfth within the country for dollar value of exports.
Trade facilities across the state include Atlanta International Airport, the Port of Savannah and the Port of Brunswick.
Pat Wilson, commissioner of the state’s department of economic development, said they work all over the world to market Georgia products and Georgia-made goods.
“These representatives work with our Georgia-based export specialists to make sure that Georgia businesses have a bonus and our economy stays strong,” Wilson said.
Alabama Port Authority and CSX partner to construct intermodal container facility
The Alabama Port Authority recently announced it would construct an intermodal container facility to supply improved rail connectivity with the Port of Mobile and the northern parts of the state.
The latest intermodal container transfer facility (ICTF) is a partnership between the port authority and CSX Transportation. It’s going to be inbuilt the town of Decatur, in keeping with a news release.
The Port of Mobile will redevelop a portion of an existing CSX facility in Decatur to assist expedite the project. One other ICTF was announced in the town of Montgomery in 2022. Each projects are scheduled to be accomplished by 2026.
The ICTF on the Port of Mobile provides access to 5 Class I freight railroads and 4 shortline railroads.
“This project demonstrates our commitment to foster growth, connect markets and propel economic progress for the region,” Maryclare Kenney, CSX’s vice chairman of intermodal and auto, said in a press release. “The power’s strategic location improves multimodal flexibility throughout the state and creates sustainable, dynamic, rail-to-truck transportation solutions for our customers.”
The Alabama Port Authority currently has greater than $1 billion in capital projects underway across the state, including expanding the container terminal on the Port of Mobile and a project to deepen and widen the Mobile Ship Channel.
Other planned investments include constructing an interterminal connector bridge to create on-dock rail access on the Port of Mobile’s container terminal, in addition to modernizing the port’s general cargo piers.
Cleveland port secures $32M for upgrades, modernization projects
The Port of Cleveland recently received $32 million in federal and state grants that it would utilize to modernize the port’s largest warehouse and upgrade electrical infrastructure at its general cargo terminal.
William Friedman, the port’s president and CEO, said the investments were critical to the port’s continuing operations, in addition to sustainability.
“These initiatives stand as a testament to our commitment to sustainable practices,” Friedman said in a news release. “True environmental stewardship requires translating words into meaningful, concrete actions.”
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The grants include $27.2 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation and $4.9 million from the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Maritime Assistance Program.
The funds will probably be used for modernizing the port’s Warehouse A, which is over 50 years old. The upgrades include adding structural steel repairs, a brand new overhead crane, window replacements, recent concrete slab, updated lighting and a brand new roof.
Funds may even be employed to develop an electrification master plan and installation of a brand new terminal electric feed on the port, in collaboration with Cleveland Public Power.
The most recent funds are a part of greater than $93 million invested within the port’s infrastructure since 2015, with greater than 75% of it covered by state and federal grants. The goal is to attain net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, making Cleveland the primary Great Lakes port to adopt such an ambitious plan, Friedman said.
“Through these measures approved today, we’re actively decarbonizing and forging a path toward a greener and more sustainable future,” Friedman said.
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