Georgia Ports Authority hosted their annual State of the Port of Brunswick Tuesday with CEO Griff Lynch and President Kevin Price presenting updates on market conditions and future plans.
On the heels of the recent announcement by German-based Audi to build a factory in Georgia, Lynch and Price noted the success of Georgia in attracting global auto brands to manufacture and move supply chains here.
Korean-based Hyundai Motor Group’s Metaplant in Ellabell is just 30 miles west of the Port of Savannah on a 3,000-acre site, that will create 8,500 jobs by 2031. The company has also attracted 22 suppliers located nearby.
Kia, also based in Korea, has operated their flagship U.S auto manufacturing plant in West Point on 2,200 acres since 2009.
California-based, electric vehicle manufacturer, Rivian has broken ground for a manufacturing plant in Stanton Springs North, representing a $5 billion investment that is expected to create 7,500 long-term jobs by 2030. The company also established an East Coast headquarters in Atlanta.
Audi, part of the Volkswagen Group, has made a long-term commitment to the American market, announcing a new location near Macon. The company intends to invest $4 billion in its first U.S. plant in Georgia, which will be among the brand’s largest production footprints globally, creating approximately 4,500 jobs.
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027 with production planned to start in the early 2030s. Other major global brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo amongst others use the Port of Brunswick for finished vehicle shipments and processing.
“Georgia Ports are creating opportunities for businesses to grow, enhancing long-term supply chain competitiveness on a state, regional, national and global level, generating new job growth in the port region and throughout the state,” said Griff Lynch, CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority.
One of the biggest advantages for auto manufacturers and logistics providers is the combination of seaport access, dedicated rail infrastructure, direct access to interstate highways and proximity to Southeastern markets. Vehicle imports and exports, finished vehicle distribution, parts warehousing, manufacturing and vehicle processing are all provided within the Brunswick supply chain.
The Port of Savannah is also a major gateway port for containerized auto parts and components with 40 vessel calls a week, 15,000 truck gate transactions daily and 42 doublestack trains per week from Savannah’s ondock rail facility, Mason Mega Rail to inland markets via Norfolk Southern and CSX.
“The automotive manufacturing ecosystem continues to grow here. We’re also seeing strong growth in the heavy machinery market such as construction equipment and farm equipment,” Price said.