The US Port of Savannah handled 2,982,467 TEU in FY2012, an increase of 1.9 per cent compared to the previous fiscal year, according to the Shipping Gazette. 
Total vessel calls were up 2.2 per cent to 2,916, and the Port of Savannah now hosts the most shipping services of any port on the east coast, for a total of 40 weekly services.
According to Curtis Foltz, executive director of the Georgia Ports Authority, GPA ports achieved record volumes in FY2012 for total tonnage, containers and autos.
"Strong growth in breakbulk and auto cargoes complemented record volumes in total tonnage and container traffic," Mr Foltz said. "Georgia's deepwater ports continued to attract additional cargo, and sustain and create jobs throughout this region."
Breakbulk cargo saw 15.6 per cent growth over FY2011 to 2.53 million. The ports boosted overall tonnage to 26.5 million, up 561,038 tons. Georgia ports also moved 569,984 roll-on/roll-off units across all terminals in FY2012.
Another highlight during this period included the release of the US Army Corps of Engineers final documentation for the proposed Savannah Harbour Expansion Project (SHEP). The project has caught the attention of US President Barack Obama, who announced last week (mid-July) an intention to fast track SHEP approvals and secure final federal approval from Congress no later than November.
"To have the President of the United States acknowledge the importance of the Port of Savannah - its infrastructure improvement needs and the role it plays in the economic recovery of the Southeast - is significant," Mr Foltz said.
"After 15 years of extensive research and study, the Corps found the port deepening project to be both environmentally and economically sound. For every dollar the federal government spends on the project, the nation will see 5.5 dollars in benefits via lowered costs to bring goods to market," he said.
In funding, the state committed another US$46.7 million towards the deepening, for a total of $181.1 million in state bonds committed to SHEP.
With approvals from the Departments of the Army, Commerce and Interior, and the Environmental Protection Agency, construction on the project is expected to be completed in 2016, a statement from port authorities said.