The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has initiated a new study to explore deepening and widening the Savannah Harbor channel, aiming to accommodate larger vessels and enhance two-way ship traffic. This move, detailed in a letter of intent to Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle, seeks to ensure the port's future competitiveness and efficiency.
GPA President and CEO Griff Lynch emphasized the necessity of these improvements, stating, "The shipping channel needs to be deepened and widened to better accommodate the largest ships currently serving Savannah, and to prepare for even larger, more efficient vessels expected to serve the U.S. East Coast." He added that "Channel improvements are the next step in preparing Savannah for the future," alongside other infrastructure projects.
The study, authorized under Section 203 of the Water Resources Development Act and funded with an initial $500,000 from the fiscal 2026 budget, will be conducted in close collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. GPA Board Chairman Alec Poitevint said, "By initiating this study, we are taking a proactive step to ensure the Port of Savannah remains a competitive asset." The Corps will provide technical assistance and retain final review authority, including environmental and economic analyses.
A deeper harbor is crucial for larger ships to carry more cargo and avoid tidal delays, while new passing lanes will enable simultaneous arrival and departure, speeding up vessel service. The Port of Savannah currently handles vessels exceeding 16,000 twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs), double the channel's current design capacity. Previous expansions occurred in 1945, 1994, and 2022, with the most recent deepening the channel to 47 feet.
The feasibility study will assess market demands, project future vessel sizes, and design modifications accordingly, also examining potential impacts on the estuary and national economic benefits. Following the study, the Corps will recommend expansion to Congress, which would then require further authorization and funding for construction. This initiative is part of GPA's broader $5 billion investment plan over the next decade, including new container berths and a fourth RoRo berth in Brunswick.