Port of Savannah offers lower costs, more reliability than West Coast ports, study finds

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A new study from the Georgia Institute of Technology shows the Port of Savannah may be the most cost-effective shipping option for companies moving goods into the Southeast.

Researchers found shippers can save more than $1,000 per container when routing cargo through the Port of Savannah to cities like Atlanta, Memphis and Nashville, compared to using West Coast ports.

The study, conducted by Georgia Tech’s Supply Chain and Logistics Institute, evaluated total transportation costs and reliability from Asian ports to inland U.S. markets.

“Our research shows that when shippers evaluate total landed cost and end-to-end reliability, routing cargo through Savannah provides a clear economic advantage,” said Chris Gaffney, managing director of the institute.

Researchers say the savings come from shorter overland routes, fewer cargo handoffs and reduced exposure to congestion often seen at West Coast ports.

The Georgia Ports Authority says Savannah’s infrastructure also plays a role, including on-terminal rail access and direct connections to major interstates.

Officials report average rail dwell times of about 20 hours between vessel offload and departure, helping move goods to market faster.

“In today’s business environment, Savannah is clearly the best provider of great service and lower cost,” said Griff Lynch, president and CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority.

The study also found that while ocean routes to the East Coast may be longer, Savannah’s efficiency and reliability help offset that time, offering more predictable delivery compared to West Coast alternatives.