SOUTH ATL ANTIC DIVISION

container slot costs on the larger vessels accommodated by the deeper harbor will save U.S. producers and retailers $282 million per year in transportation expenses. The study found that every dollar spent on construction will yield $7.30 in benefits. Because the project will have such a large positive effect on the nation’s economy, the SHEP has received significant federal support. In the federal budget for fiscal year 2020, $130.3 million is devoted to the SHEP, while another $28.6 million in maintenance and operations funding is going toward Savannah River maintenance dredging. “I would like to thank Sen. David Perdue, Sen. Kelly Loeffler, and Congressman Buddy Carter for their work to ensure sufficient funding to improve this vital federal waterway,” said GPA Board Chairman Will McKnight. “I would also like to thank the many staff members across the Corps of Engineers, and particularly at the Savannah District. Their efforts are recognized and appreciated by Savannah’s entire maritime community.” n

PHOTO BY GEORGIA PORTS AUTHORITY

“Georgia’s ports are among our greatest economic development assets and play a critical role in creating jobs and investment opportunities across the state,” said Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. “Through the Port of Savannah, we feed the world with Georgia-grown products, and support manufacturing and retail activity across the country. The improvements we are making today through the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project will help ensure Georgia’s economic vitality for decades to come.” GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch said the progress surging ahead on the SHEP is good news for port users. “With the challenges our economy is facing, the savings a deeper harbor will mean for our customers can’t come soon enough,” Lynch said. “We’re excited to see so much work getting done as the Corps of Engineers coordinates these efforts.” The completed project will allow today’s larger container vessels to enter and leave the harbor during a longer tide window and with more cargo aboard. According to a USACE feasibility study, lower

The dredge Hampton Roads is shown maintaining a deepened channel in front of large cargo vessels docked at the Garden City Terminal of the Georgia Ports Authority, May 28, 2020.

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