Freight News, Logistics, Sea

Savannah has Reliability, Savings Edge, Study

[ April 17, 2026   //   Gary Burrows ]

Routing cargo through the Port of Savannah can save shippers more than US$1,000 per container to key inland markets compared with West Coast gateways, according to a study by Georgia Tech researchers.

The analysis found that Savannah’s advantage stems from shorter inland transport distances and more consistent supply chain performance, offsetting longer ocean transit times from Asia. The study evaluated end-to-end costs and reliability for shipments moving from 10 Asian ports to Atlanta, Memphis and Nashville.

Researchers said Savannah’s proximity to southeastern markets reduces the number of cargo handoffs and lowers trucking and rail costs. The port’s on-terminal rail network and direct interstate access were also cited as factors improving speed to market and operational efficiency.

The findings suggest that total landed cost and reliability – rather than ocean freight rates alone – are increasingly shaping routing decisions. West Coast gateways, while offering shorter ocean routes, were found to face higher variability due to congestion risks and inland transport complexity.

Georgia Tech said Savannah’s performance is supported by relatively fast rail processing, with average dwell times of about 20 hours between vessel discharge and train departure.

The study builds on earlier research focused on Atlanta and extends the analysis to additional inland hubs. It concludes that Savannah can provide more predictable transit times and lower overall logistics costs for cargo bound for the U.S. Southeast and Midwest.

The Port of Savannah is one of the largest and fastest-growing container gateways in the United States, handling high volumes of containerized cargo with regular vessel calls and extensive rail connections.

Tags: Georgia Ports Authority, Georgia Tech, Port of Savannah