Georgia Ports Authority leadership respond to President Trump’s tariff deal with Europe

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - There is still positive momentum flowing in and out of the Georgia ports this week following President Donald Trump’s deal with Europe to enforce a 15% tariff on most imported goods from the 27 European Union countries.

In the 2025 fiscal year, the Georgia Ports Authority’s leadership reported moving 5.7 million twenty-foot-equivalent (TEU) containers, generating more than $806 million in revenue.

FY2025 was the Port of Savannah’s second busiest year on record.

“A very strong year, we’re appreciative of all the stakeholders in the community and at the ports that help make that happen,” said Griff Lynch, President and CEO of Georgia Ports.

Lynch said it’s encouraging for them, knowing the number that Trump and European leaders agreed to after much discussion.

“What’s really encouraging is now, after some time, we’re starting to see these deals fall into place.”

Georgia Ports Chairman Alec Poitevint said things are very positive due to their current capital investments.

“We have a history of thinking way forward ahead,” he said after Tuesday’s Authority meeting at their administration building in Garden City. “We’re optimistic about what President Trump is doing in his entire approach to us being stronger for trading and for us to have some opportunities for exports.”

According to a press release, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp shared his input on the successful 2025 fiscal year.

“On behalf of the entire state, I want to congratulate the incredible team at the Georgia Ports Authority on another great year,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Our ports drive economic opportunity in communities all across Georgia, and I’m confident in this team’s ability to continue delivering results for the No. 1 state for business.”

President Trump’s federal spending budget also included $500,000 towards the Savannah River widening project study that aims to increase its already extensive reach for larger and more heavily loaded container vessels to use the harbor.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deepened it to 47 feet more than three years ago after decades of work behind the scenes.

FROM 2022: Savannah River dredging project complete

Lynch said it’s still a long-term project, but they are appreciative of the financial support from the federal government.

“Georgia Ports is doing everything we need to do on the land side, and the state is helping us with whatever needs to be done on the outside of our gates, billions of dollars being invested. So the other part of that is so we can continue to handle bigger ships, is to continue to modernize the river and the harbor,” he said.

According to their press release:

The Port of Savannah moved 410,400 TEUs in June. Georgia Ports averaged more than 475,000 TEUs per month in the fiscal year just ended. March, April, and May each came in over 500,000 TEUs.

The Port of Brunswick handled 870,775 units of autos and heavy equipment in FY2025, which is flat compared to the previous year. Fiscal year 2024 was a record year.

GPA will start construction in the current fiscal year on the new $100 million Colonels Island Berth 4, designed to ensure future capacity keeps pace with demand when opened in 2027.

During Fiscal Year 2025, GPA completed $470 million in projects, including:

• Brunswick: Roll-on/Roll-off expansion
• • Added 640,000 square feet of warehousing in support of processing autos and heavy equipment, and 122 acres of Roll-on/Roll-off storage added.
• Savannah: Garden City Terminal Warehouse 83B Modifications (newly expanded CBP Exam facility)
• • Streamlines Customs inspections by doubling warehouse space and expanding refrigerated cargo capabilities.
• Savannah: Eight new ship-to-shore cranes
• • The largest cranes on the U.S. East Coast are expanding Savannah’s big ship capability.