Savannah, Ga. – June 4, 2010 – Georgia Ports Authority’s (GPA) Executive Director Curtis J. Foltz announced today that the Port of Savannah’s Ocean Terminal has been added to the ACL/Grimaldi West African Service and is expected to make its first call in early July 2010.

“We welcome this West African combination service to Savannah,” said Foltz. “Ocean Terminal offers a unique combination of excellent on-dock capabilities for roll-on/roll-off (Ro/Ro), breakbulk and containerized cargo, as well as an experienced labor force and close proximity to one of the fastest growing markets in the United States.” 

The fort-nightly service is adding new combination container and Ro/Ro vessels and will have four new vessels in service by September 2010. 

From Savannah, port rotation includes direct ports of Dakar, Cotonou, Lome, Lagos and Tema with feeder service to Banjul, Conakry, Freetown, Monrovia, Boma, Douala, Point Noire, Luanda, Lobito, Takoradi, San Pedro and Abidjan.

The West African service vessels are multi-purpose, so they can handle containers, breakbulk and Ro/Ro cargo like tractors and used cars (POVs). Imports will include commodities such as lumber and cocoa.

"Grimaldi has always recognized the importance of the South Atlantic to the West Africa market by offering a service jointly with ACL via Europe for the last eight years," said ACL's General Manager U.S.-West Africa TradeErik Cole. "We are now pleased to be able to offer the only direct service from the South Atlantic to a full range of West African ports for both containers and Ro/Ro. With a frequency of every 14 days and superior transit times that only direct services can provide, we look forward to assisting in the growth of this market."

Georgia’s deepwater ports and inland barge terminals support nearly 300,000 jobs throughout the state annually and contribute $15.5 billion in income, $61.7 billion in revenue and $2.6 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia’s economy.