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Curtis Foltz News

25 Mar 2016

Savannah Handles Imported Grapes

The Port of Savannah is now handling grapes imported from Peru, adding to the list of cold-treated perishables using Savannah as a port of entry. "Savannah currently handles avocados, citrus and sweet onions from Peru," said Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Curtis Foltz. The grapes, moved from Andean Sun Produce farms in Ica and Piura, Peru, are part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture program, in which citrus, grapes and blueberries are chilled for at least 17 days prior to entry into the U.S. Removing potential pests via cold treatment reduces the need for pesticides. "By landing produce in Savannah, buyers can take advantage of much shorter and faster overland transportation to Atlanta and other major markets across the U.S. Southeast," Foltz said.

03 Feb 2016

GPA Executive Director to Step Down

Curtis Foltz (Photo: GPA)

Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) executive director Curtis J. Foltz will step down at the end of the fiscal year, June 30, the port authority’s board of directors announced today. The board unanimously accepted the nominating committee's recommendation to appoint the current chief operating officer, Griff Lynch, to succeed Foltz, who will provide consulting services to the GPA for one year after his departure. “Curtis Foltz has led the GPA to achieve great things over the past six years as executive director…

26 Jan 2016

GPA Hits Record Volume Growth of 11.7%

The Georgia Ports Authority achieved record container volumes in 2015, Executive Director Curtis Foltz reported to the GPA board Monday. Over the last calendar year, the Port of Savannah moved an all-time high 3.73 million twenty-foot equivalent container units, an increase of 391,356 TEUs, or 11.7 percent compared to CY2014. "The expansion was fueled in part by heightened demand in the U.S. Southeast, Savannah's logistical advantages drawing new customers to Georgia, and cargo diverted from the West Coast," said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz. Total tonnage across all terminals reached a record 31.48 million tons in CY2015, an increase of 1.09 million tons, or 3.6 percent.

21 Oct 2015

GPA to invest $152M in Brunswick

At the annual Brunswick State of the Port event Tuesday, Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Curtis Foltz discussed an ambitious capital improvement plan for Brunswick terminals. "In order to ensure efficient processing of cargo, our capacity must remain higher than current demand," Foltz said. Foltz said that over the past decade, the GPA has spent $46.2 million on infrastructure upgrades at the Port of Brunswick. Over the next 10 years, the Authority plans to more than triple that investment, calling for another $152 million in improvements. In one of those projects, the GPA intends to add a fourth berth to serve roll-on/roll-off cargo at Colonel's Island Terminal. The GPA has submitted a permit request to the U.S.

21 Sep 2015

Container Growth Up at GPA

Photo: GPA

Geargia Port Authority Executive Director Curtis Foltz reported a 16.6 percent calendar year to date increase in container volumes, as well as capital projects necessary for future growth. The Port of Savannah has moved 2.55 million twenty-foot equivalent container units since the start of the calendar year, an additional 365,097 TEUs. Twenty-foot equivalent container units grew by 4.4 percent (13,353 TEUs) in August alone, for a total of 315,175 TEUs. "The authority's policy…

31 Aug 2015

Georgia Hooks Trident Seafoods

Trident Seafoods' new production and distribution center in Carrollton, Ga., includes an 88,000 square-foot manufacturing floor overlooked by 18,000 square feet of office space and another 20,000 square feet of support area. (Photo: Georgia Ports Authority)

Trident Seafoods has opened a $40 million production and distribution center in Carrollton, Ga., providing 175 full-time jobs and the capacity to produce 50,000 tons of finished products annually for the U.S. market. "We are excited to add Trident to our family of customers, especially within the valuable refrigerated cargo market," said Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Curtis Foltz. Savannah's Garden City Terminal offers 84 refrigerated container racks and 814 chassis plug-ins, powering 2,830 refrigerated boxes at a time.

27 Jul 2015

Georgia Ports Score Record Cargo Numbers

(Photo: Georgia Ports Authority / Stephen B. Morton)

The Georgia Ports Authority moved a record 3.66 million twenty-foot equivalent container units in Fiscal Year 2015, an increase of more than half a million TEUs. "The deepwater ports of Savannah and Brunswick are cornerstones of Georgia's success, and major factors in creating new jobs and prosperity across the state," said Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal. Strong performances across business sectors also led to records in total tonnage and roll-on/roll-off cargo in the year ending June 30.

30 Jun 2015

Savannah Port Sets Cargo Record

Port of Savannah set records for both container volumes and total tonnage in May, with the highest tonnage ever recorded in a single month. The Port of Savannah has handled more than 338,000 TEUs, the Georgia Ports Authority said Monday. The container throughput represented a 16.4 percent increase from May of 2014. “Superior service and unmatched connectivity to inland markets are driving growth at Georgia's deepwater ports,” commented James Walters, who was re-elected as GPA’s board chairman on 29 June. The bulk of the increase last month was primarily in loaded import containers, which were up 30.5 percent, and the repositioning of empty containers, up by nearly 69 percent. The number of loaded export containers was down 3.4 percent.

28 May 2015

Savannah Harbor Expansion Project Update

GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz, left, and Lt. General Thomas Bostick, commander of the USACE, give an update on the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project as cranes work a vessel, Thursday, May 28, 2015, at the Garden City Terminal near Savannah, Ga. (Photo: Georgia Ports Authority/Stephen B. Morton)

Lt. Gen. Thomas Bostick, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, visited the Port of Savannah on Thursday, for an update on the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP). "The SHEP will create economic opportunity not only across Georgia, but throughout the Southeast," said Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal. The harbor deepening, currently in the construction phase, will deepen the shipping channel from 42 to 47 feet at mean low water. This will allow today's larger, more efficient vessels to transit the channel with heavier loads and greater scheduling flexibility.

18 May 2015

Savannah Container Volumes Jump in April

(Photo: Georgia Ports Authority/Stephen B. Morton)

Port of Savannah container volumes jumped 25.8 percent in April, with a total volume of 335,337 twenty-foot equivalent container units, or an additional 69,000 units. The Georgia Ports Authority also saw strong growth in roll-on/roll-off traffic, moving 77,574 units through Brunswick and Savannah, a 14.1 percent gain. "Across the logistics industry, focus has centered on GPA's ability to handle large volume increases with no congestion," Executive Director Curtis Foltz said. In his report to the GPA Board today…

16 Apr 2015

Georgia Port Increases Container Traffic

The Georgia Ports Authority increased containerized cargo in March by 27.8 percent compared to the same month a year ago, for an additional 72,499 20-foot equivalent container units (TEUs). “We are moving record volumes while maintaining excellent service levels for our customers,” said Curtis Foltz, executive director of the Georgia Ports Authority, which oversees the Port of Savannah. “Our March numbers have once again demonstrated the scale, flexibility and efficiency of the Garden City Terminal. Freight handling remained fluid, even with demand well above forecasts,” he said. For the first time, the Port of Savannah moved 333,058 TEUs in a single month, surpassing its previous monthly record set in October 2014 by more than 21,000 TEUs.

15 Apr 2015

GPA Container Traffic Leaps Nearly 28%

GPA photo / Stephen B. Morton

The Georgia Ports Authority increased containerized cargo in March by 27.8 percent compared to the same month a year ago, for an additional 72,499 twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs). For the first time ever, the Port of Savannah moved 333,058 TEUs in a single month, surpassing its previous monthly record set in October 2014 by more than 21,000 TEUs. "We are moving record volumes while maintaining excellent service levels for our customers," said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz.

23 Mar 2015

GPA Marks 14.2% Growth in Containers

GPA photo/Stephen B. Morton

The Georgia Ports Authority marked strong and sustained growth across all major markets in the month of February, including bulk, breakbulk, autos and machinery, and containerized freight. "The additional cargo attracted to Georgia speaks to the reliability and ease of doing business in this state," said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz. In containerized trade, the Port of Savannah achieved a 14.2 percent improvement in February, for an increase of 35,287 twenty-foot equivalent container units. A total of 284,037 TEUs moved across GPA docks.

11 Mar 2015

Georgia Ports Enhance Breakbulk Cargo Handling

Photo courtesy of GPA

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has instituted a new tracking system to process breakbulk cargo more quickly, and provide real-time freight tracking for GPA and its customers. "The new system means faster service and better communication with our breakbulk customers," said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz. The General Cargo System software shows cargo headed to the Port of Savannah and its current stage in transit. This enables GPA to prepare for and expedite handling of shipments, down to the item level.

07 Feb 2015

International Auto Processing Handles 5 Millionth Vehicle

A silver Hyundai Genesis rolling down the ramp of the Wallenius Wilhelmsen vessel Isolde became the 5 millionth vehicle handled by International Auto Processing at the Port of Brunswick. “On behalf of the GPA, I would like to congratulate IAP, a long-time partner at the Port of Brunswick,” said Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Curtis Foltz. International Auto Processing began its Colonel’s Island operation in 1986, with its first shipment of 567 Yugos (all in red). “Over the years, more and more carmakers have seen the value in using Colonel’s Island as a gateway to the Southeastern U.S. market, helping IAP and the Port of Brunswick to achieve phenomenal growth over three decades as a ro/ro facility,” said Robert Miller, president and CEO of International Auto Processing.

17 Nov 2014

Record Growth Continues at Georgia's Ports

GPA photo/Stephen B. Morton

The Georgia Ports Authority reported that its terminals in Brunswick and Savannah moved a combined 2.79 million tons of freight in October, a record for the authority. "Strong growth across all key sectors of our business is an indication that our ports are reaching a larger and more diverse customer base," said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz. For the fiscal year to date, the GPA has moved 10.28 million tons, up 7.2 percent or 694,045 tons. Savannah's Garden City Terminal handled a record 311…

09 Oct 2014

GPA Marks 13 Percent 1Q Growth

Harbor deepening moves into construction phase. On the heels of a state-federal agreement allowing the Savannah Harbor deepening to begin, the GPA has posted nearly 13 percent growth in container traffic for the first quarter of the fiscal year. "September's outstanding cargo volume continued a trend of double-digit growth," said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz. Since July, the Port of Savannah has moved 891,408 twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs), an increase of 102,122 units. September cargo grew at the same rate, with the Port of Savannah moving 295,698 TEUs, up 33,876 (12.9 percent) compared to the same month a year ago. Release of the positive cargo numbers comes after the signing of a cost sharing agreement between Georgia and the U.S.

13 Aug 2014

Savannah Achieves Container Cargo High

Photo courtesy of GPA

GPA records 19.2 percent jump in containers. The Georgia Ports Authority reached an all-time high in container trade in July, moving 293,889 twenty-foot equivalent container units, a 19.2 percent increase over the previous year. “Improved confidence among U.S. retailers, newly added port customers, and shifting cargo from U.S. West to East Coast are all fueling the growing cargo volumes at Georgia’s deepwater ports,” said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz. GPA surpassed its previous TEU record set in May by 3,453 units. The July TEU performance was up 47,237 TEUs compared to July 2013.

28 Jul 2014

GPA Sets Tonnage Record

The Georgia Ports Authority moved more than 3 million twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) in fiscal year 2014. Exports accounted for just over half of containerized tonnage.

The Georgia Ports Authority moved more than 29 million tons of cargo, 3 million twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) and more than 700,000 auto and machinery units in Fiscal Year 2014. “The board and staff of the Georgia Ports Authority are to be commended for their outstanding achievements this year,” said Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal. “Our ports’ success is a win for us all, and a direct result of Georgia’s commitment to the GPA and support for critical port infrastructure projects such as the harbor deepening and enhanced access to I-95 and I-16.

10 Jun 2014

President Signs WRRDA into Law

Containership in the port of Savannah, GA

Savannah port deepening gets green light. With the president’s signing today of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014, the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP) is authorized to begin construction. “With today’s action, SHEP has officially received a green light,” said Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Curtis Foltz. "This project is the result of an open and collaborative process involving all interested stakeholders which received approval of multiple regulatory agencies.

19 May 2014

GPA Spends $86.5m on Ship-to-Shore Cranes

Photo courtesy of GPA

The Georgia Ports Authority Board approved Monday $86.5 million to purchase four new ship-to-shore cranes and 20 new rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGs) used to handle containers at Garden City Terminal. “Our continued infrastructure investments enable us to work larger vessels and provide faster service to our customers,” said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz. This latest order of new cranes is scheduled to arrive in February 2016, and will give GPA a total of 20 Super Post-Panamax cranes and nine Post-Panamax cranes, more than any other single, self-funded terminal in the U.S.

21 May 2014

Konecranes to deliver 4 STS and 20 RTG cranes to GPA

Konecranes will deliver 4 Super Post Panamax Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes and 20 Rubber-Tired-Gantry (RTG) cranes to Georgia Ports Authority in the US. The Georgia Ports Authority Board recently approved more than $80 million to purchase the cranes to be used to handle containers at Garden City Terminal. The cranes are scheduled to arrive to Savannah by March 2016. The order will be booked in the second quarter 2014. “Our continued infrastructure investments enable us to work larger vessels and provide faster service to our customers,” said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz. “We are proud to be part of GPA’s growth” says Tuomas Saastamoinen, Konecranes’ Sales and Marketing Director, Port Cranes.

23 May 2014

WRRDA Spurs Savannah Harbor Expansion

A containership makes its way up the Savannah River to the Georgia Ports Authority Garden City container terminal in Savannah, Georgia. (Photo: Georgia Ports Authority/Stephen Morton)

The U.S. Senate’s passage of the federal Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (WRRDA) has cleared the way for construction to begin on the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project. The House passed identical legislation on Tuesday. Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Curtis Foltz called the bill’s passage a critical milestone. “Today’s action is an important step toward better accommodating the larger vessels that are the new standard in global shipping,” said Foltz.