Georgia’s ports support 605,616 full- and part-time jobs in Georgia, 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 Gov. 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.”
The total economic impact of Geogia’s ports increased 4 percent or $7 billion in FY2025, compared to the previous fiscal year.
"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.
Port activity now supports $181 billion in annual sales across the state, according to the UGA study.
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 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.
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/Roll-off cargo each month.
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 10-year plan envisions 55 percent growth during this period