Savannah rallies local business to support river dredging

THE Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) held a meeting of 60 local business leaders to rally support for dredging of the Savannah River to provide greater access to the Port of Savannah.

"The Port of Savannah's maritime, logistics and business communities agree that the Savannah harbour must be prepared for the demands of global shipping after the Panama Canal Expansion is completed in 2014," said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz.

"With vessels like the [8,500-TEU] CMA CGM Figaro already calling on the Port of Savannah, it is imperative that the Savannah Harbour Expansion Project [SHEP] is approved and remains on schedule," he said.

To handle larger vessels, the GPA and the US Army Corps of Engineers are working to deepen the river from its current 42 feet (12.8 metres) to 48 feet (14.6 metres). This project - one of the most important and productive civil works projects in the country - will maintain and create jobs and commerce throughout the region, said a GPA statement.

"A deepened harbour means jobs for our families," said International Longshoremen's Association local president Willie Seymore. "Not just the promise of new jobs, but maintaining what we have as well. Nearly 300,000 people throughout Georgia rely on this port to deliver economic opportunity everyday."

The Georgia state government has allotted US$105 million for construction and some $40 million has been spent on environmental and other work associated with the project.

"The impact of a deepened harbour will decrease the per-ton costs of our operations," said Colonial Group vice president Bill Baker. "Lowered costs allow us to pass the savings on to our customers, and that could mean a world of difference on a tight budget."
(Source:www.schednet.com)