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Savannah’s port traffic helping Atlanta’s industrial sector

In this photo provided by the Georgia Ports Authority, the container ship COSCO Development sails up river past the historic district of Savannah, Ga., to the Port of Savannah, on Thursday, May 11, 2017. At 1,201 feet long and 158 feet wide, the ship is the largest vessel ever to call on the U.S. East Coast. (AP Photo/Georgia Ports Authority, Stephen Morton)
In this photo provided by the Georgia Ports Authority, the container ship COSCO Development sails up river past the historic district of Savannah, Ga., to the Port of Savannah, on Thursday, May 11, 2017. At 1,201 feet long and 158 feet wide, the ship is the largest vessel ever to call on the U.S. East Coast. (AP Photo/Georgia Ports Authority, Stephen Morton)
By
May 30, 2017
ExploreWhat does Savannah’s bustling port have to do with Atlanta’s economy?

A lot, actually.

Metro Atlanta is one of the nation’s key hubs for cargo and it’s on a boom when it comes to the development of distribution centers and other trucking terminals.

Metro Atlanta’s warehousing industry has boomed in recent years with tens of millions of square feet of new development and thousands of jobs from companies such as UPS, Amazon and traditional retailers. Consumer spending is a key driver, but so too is the desire of companies to upgrade their supply chains to keep up with buyers who can shop for anything at any time on a smartphone.

On the subscriber website, MyAJC.com, read about Atlanta's industrial boom and why Georgia's ports are playing such a key role.

Subscribers get exclusive access to stories like this on our premium website, MyAJC.com. 

Related coverage

ExplorePhotos: Biggest cargo ship to ever dock on East Coast arrives in Savannah
ExploreMassive cargo ship draws crowds in Savannah
ExploreSavannah port boosters decry feds’ move to withhold additional funds

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Biggest ship to ever port on East Coast, visits Savannah

About the Author

J. Scott Trubey is the economy and environment editor for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He previously served as a business reporter for the AJC covering banking, real estate and economic development. Trubey is also a former investigative reporter, with a specialty in banking, real estate and public corruption. He joined the AJC in 2010.

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