By John Powers
The strong keep getting stronger. Armed with an unparalleled series of strategic advantages, Colonel’s Island Terminal is being reinvented to further elevate its status as East Coast port of choice for RoRo and agri-products shipments.
On the RoRo front, Mercedes-Benz opened its new vehicle processing center in January 2010. Mahindra Manufacturing Inc. commenced operations in December 2009 with projections imports will approach 25,000 units annually. Charter tenant International Auto Processing is once again expanding its processing capacity.
The arrival of Mercedes-Benz USA, Inc. is accompanied by three new RoRo carriers, NYK, K-Line and MOL, joining Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, American Roll-On-Roll-Off Carriers, Eukor and VG Transport.
These announcements bespeak the considerable momentum enjoyed by Colonel’s Island – Auto Port. “The presence of all these manufacturers and distributors enables carriers to optimize their vessel utilization. Additionally, tenants, shippers and vendors can share resources and acreage to streamline their import/export operations,” states John Wheeler, Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) Senior Director of Trade Development.
Agri-products capacity increased by 12,000 tons with the expansion of vertical storage. “This gives us the capability to offload another 120 hopper cars. Total storage is now 70-80,000 tons, depending on cargo density,” notes Charles Regini, GPA Agri-bulk Accounts Executive.
Regini details the agri-product profile. “The number one commodity tributary to Brunswick from the interior is soybeans. The second is a sister product to soybeans, soybean meal. Third place is a toss-up between corn and wheat. The 2010 corn crop is projected to be the largest ever, so we're anticipating a bumper year.”
Both channel and surface connectivity have been addressed to preclude bottlenecks. “Having dredged the channel to 36’ means we can handle all the RoRo vessels in the world’s fleet,” explains Bill Jakubsen, GPA Sales Manager for Trade Development. He adds, “We’ve overdredged the grain berth to 40’ which enables more heavily laden vessels to transit at high tide, with the requisite safety margin under the keel.”
Rail throughput has also been addressed. Nearby Perdue Junction has been built and accommodates two unit trains. At Anguilla Junction, two new spurs will be joined by two in 2010, increasing railcar holding capacity from 400 to 560 units. “With the improvements emplaced in the last two years, we have upped capacity and introduced bi-directional flow for unit trains. Railroads can now execute a centralized hub operation without having to retrieve cars from multiple locations,” states Wheeler.
Resources abound. 700 acres for future development. The capacity to add incremental vertical storage as dictated by agriproducts flow. Huge carrier space availability for shipments of rolling stock. Room to further expand available trackage.
Regini predicts a bright future for agri-products. “The channel deepening to Panamax dimensions is a blessing. We can now vie with larger ports because our unit costs are competitive. This extends our freight reach from specialty products and nearby origins to nationwide, to and from any market. We’ll top Fiscal Year 2009 by 30% and crack the million ton threshold for the first time, and we anticipate much more of the same.”
With ample land, a diverse carrier fleet, superior location and glowing reputation, GPA and its processor tenants foresee a similar future for RoRo.