Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

transportation

Georgia port head hints at several inland ports across state

Chatsworth facility opens today, may be harbinger of things to come.

Georgia port head hints at several inland ports across state

The executive director of the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), which operates the container port of Savannah and the roll-on, roll-off and breakbulk port of Brunswick, hinted today at the development of more additional inland ports across the state to join Cordele in the state's south-central region and Chatsworth, which officially opened today, in its northwest corner.

The comments by Griff Lynch, made at ribbon-cutting ceremonies at the new facility, called the "Appalachian Regional Port"(ARP), reflect GPAs strong belief in the inland port model as a way to connect manufacturers in a four-state cluster—Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky--with the seaport through the use of a dedicated train.


Lynch said in an interview last October that GPA is eyeing the state's northeast region—which runs into the mountain ranges that link Georgia, North and South Carolina—as the location for the terminal. Though Lynch didn't specify a number, his remarks implied that the state was looking to go beyond three inland ports. "More are coming," Robert Morris, a GPA spokesman, said late today. He did not elaborate

State officials plan to expand GPA's inland port infrastructure with the goal of developing the largest intermodal complex in the eastern third of the U.S. GPA is in the midst of a multi-year, multi-modal initiative designed to efficiently accommodate the movement of cargo volumes, which are projected to expand as larger container vessels call at U.S. ports. GPA does not operate the Cordele facility.

The 388-mile Chatsworth line, operated by eastern railroad CSX Transportation, connects the facility with Savannah's Garden City Terminal, the effective entry and exit point for cargo owners. Trains will operate every other day.

The Chatsworth facility can currently handle up to 50,000 boxes a year, and there are plans to double that capacity over the next 10 years. Morris said the facility is projected to handle about 25,000 containers in its first 12 months of operation.

State officials have said they plan to expand GPA's inland port infrastructure with the goal of developing the largest intermodal complex in the eastern third of the U.S. GPA is in the midst of a multi-year, multi-modal initiative designed to efficiently accommodate the movement of cargo volumes, which are projected to expand as larger container vessels call at U.S. ports.

Another benefit of Chatsworth, and potentially other inland ports, is that it provides the region's businesses with access to Savannah—located in Georgia's southeast corner--without having to truck their goods through heavily congested metro Atlanta. GPA estimates the inland port will reduce truck traffic by 50,000 trips per year; each round-trip container moved on the ARP will offset 710 truck miles on Georgia roads, officials said.

The facility opened two months ahead of schedule. Japanese heavy-equipment maker Komatsu Ltd. was the first customer, unloading goods from the CSX train. The 3 huge cranes were painted red, white and blue in the image of the American flag.

The Latest

Artificial Intelligence

AI: Is it the real deal?

More Stories

Logistics economy picked up speed in January

Logistics Managers' Index

Logistics economy picked up speed in January

Economic activity in the logistics industry expanded in January, growing at its fastest clip in more than two years, according to the latest Logistics Managers’ Index (LMI) report, released this week.

The LMI jumped nearly five points from December to a reading of 62, reflecting continued steady growth in the U.S. economy along with faster-than-expected inventory growth across the sector as retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers attempted to manage the uncertainty of tariffs and a changing regulatory environment. The January reading represented the fastest rate of expansion since June 2022, the LMI researchers said.

Keep ReadingShow less

Featured

Disrupting the furniture supply chain: An interview with Jay Rogers

Disrupting the furniture supply chain: An interview with Jay Rogers

As commodities go, furniture presents its share of manufacturing and distribution challenges. For one thing, it's bulky. Second, its main components—wood and cloth—are easily damaged in transit. Third, much of it is manufactured overseas, making for some very long supply chains with all the associated risks. And finally, completed pieces can sit on the showroom floor for weeks or months, tying up inventory dollars and valuable retail space.

In other words, the furniture market is ripe for disruption. And John "Jay" Rogers wants to be the catalyst. In 2022, he cofounded a company that takes a whole new approach to furniture manufacturing—one that leverages the power of 3D printing and robotics. Rogers serves as CEO of that company, Haddy, which essentially aims to transform how furniture—and all elements of the "built environment"—are designed, manufactured, distributed, and, ultimately, recycled.

Keep ReadingShow less
chart of GenAI effect on workforce

Gartner: GenAI tools create anxiety among employees

Generative AI (GenAI) is being deployed by 72% of supply chain organizations, but most are experiencing just middling results for productivity and ROI, according to a survey by Gartner, Inc.

That’s because productivity gains from the use of GenAI for individual, desk-based workers are not translating to greater team-level productivity. Additionally, the deployment of GenAI tools is increasing anxiety among many employees, providing a dampening effect on their productivity, Gartner found.

Keep ReadingShow less
warehouse worker driving forklift between racks

German 3PL Arvato acquires two U.S. logistics firms

The German third party logistics provider (3PL) Arvato this week acquired the U.S.-headquartered companies Carbel LLC and United Customs Services, saying the move would grow its client base, particularly in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle segments.

According to Arvato, it made the move in order to better serve the U.S. e-commerce sector, which has experienced high growth rates in recent years and is expected to grow year-on-year by 5% within the next five years.

Keep ReadingShow less
photo collage of warehouse tech

Supply chain pros are wary of inflation and labor woes

The top worries that supply chain leaders hope to address with new innovations this year include inflationary concerns (68%) and labor shortages (50%), according to a survey on innovation from the third-party logistics provider (3PL) Kenco.

And many of them will have a budget to do it, since 51% of supply chain professionals with existing innovation budgets saw an increase earmarked for 2025, suggesting an even greater emphasis on investing in new technologies to meet rising demand, Kenco said in its “2025 Supply Chain Innovation” survey.

Keep ReadingShow less