Brunswick’s Booming Auto Trade: How Georgia Ports is Leading the Way

If you haven’t been paying attention to Brunswick’s rise as a powerhouse for auto exports, now is the time. At the recent Brunswick State of the Port event, Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) President and CEO Griff Lynch delivered a milestone announcement: Colonel’s Island Terminal is now the nation’s busiest port for Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) cargo.

With over 2 million tons of RoRo cargo handled in 2024, Brunswick has cemented its place as the top U.S. gateway for automobiles and heavy equipment. But what’s driving this massive growth, and what’s next for the port that’s reshaping the industry?

Brunswick: The Auto Export King

According to USATradeonline, Brunswick took the top spot for RoRo exports last year, moving 600,000 tons of cargo. In terms of individual units, the port hit a record 901,912 autos and heavy equipment, a 13.3% increase in vehicle volume and an astonishing 160% growth in heavy equipment handling.

This surge isn’t happening by chance—GPA has been making strategic investments to build out Brunswick’s infrastructure, ensuring the port can scale alongside growing global demand.

Big Investments, Bigger Returns

In 2024 alone, GPA completed $262 million in improvements at Colonel’s Island, including:
✅ New warehousing and processing space
✅ 122 additional acres of RoRo cargo storage
✅ A brand-new railyard currently under construction
✅ Engineering underway for a fourth RoRo vessel berth

According to Lynch, these enhancements are part of a bigger vision:

“This is an important milestone in our journey to be the best RoRo port in the industry. I would like to thank our customers for their continued trust in GPA, and our partners – the ILA, auto processors, and Brunswick Pilots – for making Colonel’s Island the nation’s premier RoRo port.”

The investments are already paying off, with Brunswick becoming the go-to location for automakers looking for efficiency, scale, and access to global markets.

Supercharging Rail Capacity for U.S. Auto Exports

One of the biggest factors fueling Brunswick’s success? Rail.

More than 90% of autos moved by rail at Colonel’s Island are U.S.-made exports, making rail infrastructure a critical component of future growth. That’s why GPA is massively expanding its rail capabilities at the port:

🚆 Phase I of the new railyard (set for completion in mid-2025) will more than double rail capacity from 150,000 autos to 340,000 autos per year.
🚆 Phase II will push that number even higher—up to 590,000 units annually, a 3X increase over current capacity.

Lynch noted that better rail service will help Brunswick extend its reach, making it easier and more cost-effective to move vehicles from inland factories to the Georgia coast.

Brunswick’s Future: Bigger Ships, More Trade, and Federal Investments

The world’s auto trade is evolving, and Brunswick is staying ahead of the curve. As the RoRo shipping industry shifts to larger vessels carrying up to 10,800+ car equivalent units (CEUs), Colonel’s Island is uniquely positioned to handle these mega-ships efficiently.

To ensure the port remains competitive, federal infrastructure projects are also in motion, including:
🔹 $6 million from Georgia to support shipping channel improvements
🔹 $38 million in federal funding for harbor dredging and modifications
🔹 Expanded vessel meeting areas in St. Simons Sound for improved safety

Lynch emphasized that continued federal support is crucial to keep Brunswick’s momentum going:

“The global fleet of RoRo ships is getting larger, and federal agencies must keep pace with this trend by performing timely dredging to maintain safe channels in a dependable, proactive manner.”

Brunswick’s Next Chapter: A RoRo Powerhouse

With record-breaking numbers, game-changing infrastructure investments, and strong public-private partnerships, Brunswick is poised for unparalleled growth in the RoRo sector.

Through its long-term strategy, GPA is ensuring that Brunswick remains a center of excellence for RoRo trade, offering best-in-class logistics, efficiency, and scalability for automakers and equipment manufacturers worldwide.

As global auto trade continues to evolve, Brunswick is ready—and leading the way.

A huge credit to the Georgia Ports Authority for its vision, investment, and commitment to making Georgia the #1 RoRo gateway in the nation. 🚢🚗💨