Governor Brian Kemp (R-GA) has announced that he and First Lady Marty Kemp are leading an economic development mission to Panama this week, focusing on logistics infrastructure and supply chain operations at the Panama Canal. They will be accompanied by representatives from the Georgia Ports Authority and Georgia Department of Economic Development.
Georgia ranks sixth in the United States for dollar value of trade, facilitating more than $198.7 billion in trade to 222 unique countries and territories in 2024, alone. The ports of Savannah and Brunswick are key facilitators of that trade.
Specifically, Savannah’s port is one of the best-connected U.S. ports to world markets with 35 ship calls a week, 42 doublestack trains per week, and 14,000 truck gate moves daily.
Brunswick’s port is the top U.S. roll-on/roll-off port for automotive and machinery logistics, with over $262 million in upgrades and a new $100 million worth of infrastructure under construction.
President and CEO of Georgia Ports Authority Griff Lynch commented on this economic mission, stating that he looks forward to reinforcing Georgia’s relationship with Panama.
Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson commented on the Panama Canal, describing it as a vital link for Georgia’s global economic relationships.
“The strong flow of goods between Panama and our ports fuels investment, supports jobs, and keeps Georgia competitive,” Wilson stated. “When companies combine that connectivity with our skilled workforce and pro-business environment, it’s clear why so many choose to invest and grow in Georgia.”
Gov. Brian Kemp emphasized the relationship between Georgia’s ports and the Panama trade network as an essential component of Georgia’s economic growth.
“The Panama Canal connects shipping routes with some of Georgia’s top business partners to Savannah and Brunswick, and we look forward to learning more about their operations as we continue to innovate and invest in our infrastructure at home,” he commented.
