Savannah's New Container Berth: Open for Business
| Monday, April 24, 2006 |
Contact: Office of Communications 404-651-7774
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Savannah’s New Container Berth: Open for Business
Governor Perdue Delivers Ceremonial First Container to CB-8
SAVANNAH, Ga. – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the opening of the first phase of Container Berth 8 (CB-8) at the Georgia Ports Authority’s Garden City Terminal. Phase-One of this new facility features a 1,200-foot dock, bringing the total linear berthing space available at the terminal to 8,800 feet. CB-8 is the largest single terminal container facility on the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts. Today Governor Perdue delivered the first ceremonial container to CB-8 via one of GPA’s Super Post-Panamax cranes.
“Georgia’s maritime industry is playing an increasingly vital role in our economy,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “The completion of the first phase of CB-8 is a product of the close cooperation between the state, the Georgia Ports Authority and the General Assembly.”
Phase Two, scheduled for completion in 2007, will include an additional 100 acres of paved storage area and 1,000 linear feet of dock. The new berth will increase the terminal’s total capacity by 20 percent and result in thousands of new direct and indirect jobs and new economic opportunities throughout the state of Georgia and the Southeast United States.
The CB-8 project is a $109-million dollar project funded by Governor Perdue and the General Assembly during a four-year period. The final funding of $15.9 million was approved by the General Assembly in the state’s FY07 Budget.
“Governor Perdue, the General Assembly and the GPA are working hand-in-hand to provide the state with new opportunities for Georgia,” said Senator Mack Mattingly, chairman of the GPA Board.
“This facility will improve access for Georgia-based businesses to import and export their products throughout the world,” said Doug Marchand, executive director of the GPA. “Without the leadership and foresight provided to us by Governor Perdue and the members of the General Assembly, we would be unable to provide this opportunity to our state.”
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