Yes, Douglas, Savannah's port is for real
Exchange | Business | portsideportside | Friday, October 20, 2006 at 12:30 am
As anonymous voice mails go, it was pretty mild.
"I just read your article in Saturday's paper. I have no idea where you get your facts, but when you report that Savannah
is the nation's fifth-largest container port, you must be out of your mind.
"There isn't the smallest possibility that Savannah's port comes in even in the top 50, let alone the fifth largest.
"You are crazy!"
When he called again the next day and we actually talked, Douglas stuck relentlessly to his guns.
He still wouldn't give me his full name or an e-mail address where I could send him links to the Port Import Export Reporting
Service, commonly known as PIERS, the independent organization the shipping industry depends upon for such statistics.
"You'll never convince me Savannah's port is that big," he insisted.
Maybe not, but I can try.
Ports handle a variety of cargo, including break-bulk cargo in packages such as bundles, crates, barrels and pallets; liquid
bulk cargo like petroleum; dry bulk such as grain; and general cargo in corrugated steel boxes called containers that are
measured in 20-foot equivalent units, or TEUs.
Since it was introduced 50 years ago, the container has revolutionized global trade by making the transport of goods cheaper
and more efficient.
According to statistics compiled by the World Shipping Council, more than $1.4 billion worth of containerized goods pass
through U.S. ports every day.
Georgia Ports' major container facility is Garden City Terminal. More than 2 million containers were moved across its docks
in fiscal 2006, which ended June 30.
That growth, according to Michael D. Andrews, chief economist for PIERS maritime research, makes Savannah the fourth-largest
container port in the country.
"Based on the first half of calendar 2006, we're currently ranking the port of Savannah fourth - behind Los Angeles, Long
Beach and New York - in terms of containerized cargo," Andrews said Thursday.
So, Douglas, I guess I was wrong. Savannah's port isn't fifth anymore - it's fourth.
I hope this prompts you to take a closer look at Savannah's port. And, when you do, I hope it helps convince you that I'm
not completely out of my mind when it comes to reporting on ports.
As for your emphatic declaration that I'm crazy - that may be closer to the truth.
After all, I have teenagers.
