The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) and the Panama Canal Authority on Friday signed an historic agreement that will allow both agencies to jointly promote all-water shipping routes between Asia and the Port of Savannah. "We project that nearly 700 vessels representing a total of over 1 million TEUs will use the Panama Canal to call on Savannah this year," said David A. Schaller, GPA's Deputy Executive Director, who signed the agreement in an official ceremony today. The agreement also provides for both parties to conduct joint marketing programs, share data, technology and information related to modernization. "Nearly 70 percent of GPA's total cargo volume will travel via the Panama Canal this year," said Schaller.