Georgia Ports Authority generates $181 billion annual economic impact, Savannah, GA; 12% of Georgia jobs depend on ports

Georgia Ports Authority generates $181 billion annual economic impact, Savannah, GA; 12% of Georgia jobs depend on ports

Georgia Ports generates $181 billion in economic impact annually, supports 605,000 jobs - Georgia Ports Authority

PRESS RELEASES SEPTEMBER 1, 2026 Revised: SEPTEMBER 1, 2026

Georgia Ports generates $181 billion in economic impact annually, supports 605,000 jobs

One out of every eight Peach State jobs tied to ports’ economic engine.

SAVANNAH, Ga., Sept. 1, 2026 – Georgia’s ports support 605,616 full- and part-time jobs at Peach State businesses, yielding $44 billion in annual income, according to the latest study from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.

“This report confirms what we’ve seen for years: our Ports are exceptional drivers of job creation and economic activity, both in the booming coastal region and in communities across Georgia,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “As we continue to invest in these unrivaled assets statewide and our broader logistics network, we will build on the positive momentum of recent years and further promote opportunities for hardworking Georgians. On behalf of a grateful state, I want to congratulate and thank all those who work for the ports system for making this another record-breaking year of economic benefit.”

“Every shipment through Savannah and Brunswick fuels Georgia’s economy, supporting businesses, families and communities,” said Griff Lynch, Georgia Ports CEO.

Between FY2021 and FY2025, employment supported by port activity has increased by more than 44,500 jobs.

“Twelve percent of statewide employment, or almost one out of every eight Georgia jobs, is in some way dependent on the ports,” said Jeff Humphreys, director of the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia’s Terry School of Business, who conducted the study.

The total economic impact of Geogia’s ports increased 4 percent or $7 billion in FY2025, compared to the previous fiscal year.

Port activity now supports $181 billion in annual sales across the state, according to the UGA study.

“Ports are economic engines and our GPA employees and our valued partners in Gateway Terminals and the ILA are to be commended for their dedication and hard work contributing to Georgia’s strong economy,” said GPA Board Chairman Alec Poitevint.

Port customers, their suppliers and the businesses supported by port-user payrolls now account for 12 percent of Georgia’s total output, up from 11 percent in FY2024.

Business conducted through the ports also results in $10 billion in federal taxes, $3 billion in state taxes and $3 billion in local taxes.

The Port of Savannah is the busiest gateway for containerized trade on the South Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, handling 5.67 million twenty-foot equivalent container units in FY2026. Savannah is one of the nation’s best-connected ports, offering 40 weekly vessel calls, direct interstate access and 42 trains per week to inland destinations.

“Our mission is to empower businesses to thrive by providing the most cost effective, reliable and efficient port services in the country,” said Georgia Ports President Kevin Price. “When companies locate or expand in Georgia to take advantage of our supply chain, that means jobs and opportunities for Georgians.”

At the Port of Brunswick, Colonels Island Terminal is the nation’s busiest and fastest-growing auto port. Brunswick handles approximately 65,000 units of Roll-on

Georgia Ports is in the midst of a self-financed, $5 billion port and inland infrastructure plan, which will add five container berths in Savannah – the most at any U.S. port – and one berth for Roll-on

Roll-off cargo in Brunswick. The ten-year plan envisions 55 percent growth during this period.

ABOUT GEORGIA PORTS Georgia’s Ports in Savannah and Brunswick are strategic gateways, creating the most competitive supply chains in the nation with their level of operations, connectivity and supply chain ecosystem. These attributes combined with Georgia’s ranking as the top state to do business for 12 consecutive years create a strong business model for growth. The Port of Savannah is one of the best-connected ports in the U.S. to world markets with 40 ship calls a week, 42 doublestack trains per week and 14,000 truck gate moves daily. The Port of Brunswick is the number 1 ranked U.S. RoRo port by annual volumes for autos and has an increasing amount of machinery cargoes with its expanded high and heavy cargo operating space. GPA has a self-financed investment plan of nearly $5 billion for the next ten years which will see five big ship container berths added in Savannah (the most of any U.S. container port) and a fourth RoRo berth in Brunswick to meet future growth. Over the past 10 years, the GPA board has approved $4.13 billion in infrastructure improvements. As part of GPA’s community engagement efforts, $6 million is being donated to port communities to support a multi-year, local workforce housing initiative , helping over 200 families repair, buy or build a home in the Savannah area since its start in September 2023. For further information, visit gaports.com or contact Edward Fulford, Manager of Media Relations at [email protected] 912-964-3806.

260901 Georgia Ports Economic Impact FY25

International business through Georgia Ports supports $181 billion in annual sales across the state, according to a study by the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business. (Georgia Ports)