The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has secured a key federal permit for its planned US$2.3 billion Savannah Container Terminal, paving the way for one of the largest port infrastructure projects in the United States.
The US Army Corps of Engineers approved the permit following a three-year review process . GPA President Kevin Price announced the approval on October 14, 2026, during the authority’s annual State of the Port of Savannah event.
Located on Hutchison Island, the new terminal will cover approximately 350 acres and add 3.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of annual container-handling capacity. The facility is designed to accommodate some of the world’s largest container ships.
Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2028, with completion expected in the mid-2030s. Once operational, the terminal will support Georgia Ports’ long-term plan to increase Savannah’s total container capacity from the current 7.75 million TEUs to around 12 million TEUs annually.
The project forms part of a broader infrastructure investment programme aimed at strengthening Savannah’s position as a major container gateway for the United States. The authority has outlined approximately US$5 billion in planned investments in port and inland infrastructure.
Another major initiative is the US$1.6 billion redevelopment of Savannah’s Ocean Terminal. The project is expected to increase its annual container capacity from 200,000 TEUs to 1.75 million TEUs, with completion targeted by the end of 2028.
The expansion programme is intended to improve cargo-handling capacity, accommodate larger vessels and support growing freight demand. It will also strengthen connections between maritime terminals and inland freight networks, helping businesses move goods through the port more efficiently.
With federal approval secured, Georgia Ports can advance planning and development for the new terminal. The project is expected to play a significant role in the port authority’s long-term strategy to expand capacity and reinforce Savannah’s importance in international trade and supply chains.