Savannah Port Breaks Rail Record: 545K+ Containers Moved in 2025

Port of Savannah smashes rail cargo record, moving 545,214 containers in 2025. This boosts efficiency and strengthens its position as a key U.S. East Coast rail hub.

January 29, 2026 1:39 am

🛑 Key Takeaways:

Port of Savannah set a new record for rail container moves in 2025, handling 545,214 units.
Total port volume reached its second-highest level at 5.7 million TEUs, a 2.6% increase over 2024.
This growth is supported by major efficiency gains, with vessel-to-train transfer times cut by 21%, strengthening Savannah’s position as a key U.S. East Coast rail hub.

SAVANNAH, GA – The Georgia Ports Authority’s (GPA) Port of Savannah established a new annual record for rail cargo in 2025, moving 545,214 containers. The performance marks the fifth consecutive year the port has exceeded half a million rail moves. This rail volume supported the port’s second-busiest year on record, with total throughput reaching 5.7 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), a 2.6% increase from 2024.

Category	Specification / Detail
Port Performance (2025)	Port of Savannah
Annual Rail Volume	545,214 containers (New Record)
Total Container Volume	5.7 million TEUs (+2.6% vs 2024)
Vessel-to-Rail Dwell Time	22 hours (Reduced from 28 hours)
Capital Investment Program	$4.5 billion (Ports & Inland Infrastructure)
Key Rail Partners	CSX, Norfolk Southern Railway
Upcoming Infrastructure	Blue Ridge Connector inland terminal (Mid-2026)

Operational & Technical Details

The record rail performance was accompanied by significant operational improvements. GPA successfully reduced the average time to transfer a container from a marine vessel to an outbound train from 28 hours to 22 hours. This 6-hour reduction enhances fluidity and velocity for cargo moving inland. The port’s two on-dock rail yards, served by Class I railroads CSX and Norfolk Southern, are central to this efficiency. The sustained high volume marks a consistent strategic focus on intermodal connections.

These operational gains are part of a wider $4.5 billion capital improvement plan. The project will add five new container berths in Savannah and a new roll-on/roll-off berth in Brunswick. The strategy extends inland with the planned opening of the Blue Ridge Connector rail terminal in Gainesville, Georgia, scheduled for mid-2026. This new terminal aims to further expand Savannah’s rail reach into the interior U.S. market.

Market Impact Analysis

By increasing rail capacity and efficiency, the Port of Savannah solidifies its role as a primary gateway for the U.S. Southeast and beyond. The record rail volume demonstrates growing shipper confidence in the port’s intermodal service as a reliable alternative to trucking. This strategy allows GPA to compete more effectively for discretionary cargo destined for major inland markets like Atlanta, Memphis, and Chicago. The ongoing infrastructure investments, particularly the Blue Ridge Connector, signal an aggressive push to capture greater market share from competing East and Gulf Coast ports.

FAQ: Quick Facts

What was the key achievement for the Port of Savannah in 2025?

The port set a new record for containers moved by rail, at 545,214. This supported its second-highest total cargo year ever, with 5.7 million TEUs handled.

When is the new inland rail terminal expected to open?

The Blue Ridge Connector inland rail terminal in Gainesville, Georgia, is scheduled to open in mid-2026.