The Rise of Georgia’s Brunswick Terminal as the Largest RoRo Handler in the U.S.

The movement of cars and trucks through U.S. ports is on the rise, and as of 2024, Georgia’s Brunswick terminal has emerged as the largest for handling Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) volumes in the United States. The Georgia Port Authority has made significant investments in the facilities, focusing on consolidating RoRo volumes in Brunswick while Savannah is dedicated to container handling.

Growth and Achievements

At a recent State of the Port event, Georgia Ports President and CEO Griff Lynch highlighted the impressive growth of the Colonel’s Island Terminal. In 2024, the terminal handled over 2 million tons of RoRo cargo. Brunswick set a record year by handling 901,912 units of autos and heavy equipment, with a 13.3% increase in autos and a remarkable 160% increase in heavy equipment. Additionally, Brunswick led the nation in RoRo exports, handling 600,000 tons.

The rapid expansion of operations in Georgia can be attributed to increased investments by car manufacturers in facilities in Georgia and the Southeast. Previously, the Port of Baltimore dominated the U.S. market for RoRo volumes, handling a record 765,019 tons in 2023, marking a 42% increase.

Impact of Baltimore Harbor Closure

In 2024, Baltimore’s volume was impacted by the closure of the harbor for weeks following an incident involving the containership Dali and the Francis Scott Key Bridge. This closure led to vehicle carriers diverting to Georgia from Baltimore, resulting in an increase in RoRo cargo handling. The Georgia Ports Authority reported handling 80,600 units of RoRo cargo in April 2024, a 44% increase from the previous year.

Chairman Kent Fountain emphasized the importance of ongoing improvements in shipping channels, berths, rail capacity, and processing facilities to accommodate the growing volumes and ensure top-notch service for customers.

Infrastructure Enhancements

The GPA invested $262 million in improvements at the Port of Brunswick in 2024, including new warehousing, processing space, and additional RoRo cargo storage. Construction of a new railyard on Colonel’s Island is underway to boost the port’s capacity for exporting vehicles by rail.

Phase I of the railyard project aims to increase annual rail capacity to over 340,000 units by mid-2025, with Phase II targeting 590,000 units. The port officials also announced plans for a fourth RoRo berth to accommodate larger vessels carrying over 10,800 car equivalent units (CEU).

Future Outlook

Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s 20-year agreement with GPA in 2024 signals a positive outlook for the RoRo sector. The company’s plans to adjust its orderbook with the addition of Shaper class vessels with increased capacity demonstrate confidence in the growth potential of Brunswick as a RoRo hub.

Brunswick has positioned itself as a center of excellence for RoRo operations, with ongoing infrastructure developments to support the sector’s expansion. The future berth, processing facilities, land connectivity, and harbor modifications are all geared towards facilitating growth in RoRo volumes.