Renovation work at the Port of Savannah’s Ocean Terminal has passed the halfway mark, bringing Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) closer to transforming the 200-acre facility into a major container handling hub capable of supporting growing trade volumes across the U.S. Southeast.
The approximately $1.6 billion modernization project will increase Ocean Terminal’s annual container capacity from 200,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to 1.75 million TEUs, significantly expanding the Port of Savannah’s ability to accommodate future cargo growth.
According to Georgia Ports Authority President and CEO Griff Lynch, the investment is designed to prepare the port for rising demand driven by population growth and expanding manufacturing activity throughout the Southeast.
The project forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen the Port of Savannah’s position as one of the busiest container gateways in the United States. Once completed, improvements at Ocean Terminal are expected to help raise Savannah’s overall annual handling capacity to 9 million TEUs by 2029.
Berth upgrades progressing
GPA has already completed upgrades to the first of two berths at Ocean Terminal. The berth is currently serving vessels and providing additional operational flexibility for the nearby Garden City Terminal, Savannah’s primary container facility.
Construction crews are now finishing work on the second berth, which is scheduled for completion in late June 2026. Once operational, the upgraded waterfront infrastructure will provide approximately 2,650 feet of berth space and enable the terminal to accommodate two large container vessels simultaneously.
Until container yard improvements are completed, Ocean Terminal will continue handling smaller vessels while also serving as a staging area where ships can wait before moving directly to available berths at Garden City Terminal.
Container yard transformation underway
A major component of the redevelopment involves rebuilding the container yard to support substantially higher cargo volumes.
The first phase of the renovated yard is expected to enter service in the fall of 2027, while full completion is scheduled by the end of 2028. Once operational, the upgraded facility will allow Ocean Terminal to play a significantly larger role in Savannah’s container operations.
The investment comes as ports across the United States continue expanding capacity to accommodate larger vessels, shifting supply chains and increasing cargo volumes linked to manufacturing growth and e-commerce demand.
Road and gate improvements to boost truck efficiency
In addition to marine infrastructure, GPA is investing heavily in landside improvements aimed at reducing congestion and improving truck access.
The terminal’s new gate complex is approximately 80% complete, with portions already open to traffic. By November 2026, the facility is expected to feature 12 inbound lanes and six outbound lanes, improving vehicle processing capacity.
A newly completed $29 million overpass also allows departing trucks to access U.S. 17 and Interstate 16 directly, reducing traffic on local neighborhood roads. Port officials say the project will improve freight movement between Savannah and key inland markets, including Metro Atlanta.
Truck drivers using Ocean Terminal are also benefiting from the GPA Trucker app, which provides container location information and digital gate transaction tickets, reducing paperwork and streamlining terminal operations.
Part of a larger growth strategy
Despite ongoing construction, Ocean Terminal handled approximately 84,000 TEUs during calendar year 2025, demonstrating the port’s ability to maintain operations while redevelopment progresses.
The Ocean Terminal project forms part of Georgia Ports Authority’s long-term master plan. Which calls for approximately $5 billion in investments over the next decade. The program is intended to expand capacity, improve efficiency and support future supply chain requirements as the Southeast continues to attract new manufacturing, logistics and distribution investments.
With berth upgrades nearing completion and container yard construction advancing, Ocean Terminal is set to become a key component of Savannah’s future growth, helping the port accommodate increasing trade volumes while strengthening its role in the regional and national supply chain.
The Ocean Terminal redevelopment forms part of a broader wave of U.S. port investments. Similar efforts include the $2.1 billion Texas GulfLink Deepwater Port project, which seeks to expand offshore crude oil export capacity along the Texas Gulf Coast.
Factsheet: Ocean Terminal Renovation Project, Port of Savannah
- Project: Ocean Terminal Modernization and Expansion
- Location: Ocean Terminal, Port of Savannah, Georgia, USA
- Owner: Georgia Ports Authority (GPA)
- Project Value: Approximately US$1.6 billion
- Site Size: 200 acres
- Current Capacity: 200,000 TEUs annually
- Future Capacity: 1.75 million TEUs annually
- Port-Wide Capacity Target: 9 million TEUs annually by 2029
Berth Upgrades:
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- First berth completed and operational
- Second berth expected to be completed in June 2026
- Total berth length: 2,650 feet
- Capacity to accommodate two large vessels simultaneously
Container Yard Development:
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- First phase expected to open in fall 2027
- Full completion targeted by end of 2028
Gate Infrastructure:
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- Approximately 80% complete
- Scheduled for full completion by November 2026
- 12 inbound lanes and 6 outbound lanes
Road Improvements:
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- $29 million truck overpass completed
- Direct access to U.S. 17 and Interstate 16
Digital Technology:
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- GPA Trucker app provides container location data and digital gate tickets
- 2025 Throughput: Approximately 84,000 TEUs handled during construction
- Long-Term Investment Plan: GPA plans to invest approximately US$5 billion in port capacity improvements over the next decade.
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