Sen. Jon Ossoff announces plans to improve Brunswick's port

BRUNSWICK, Ga. (WTGS) — The Georgia Port Authority met with state and local officials Friday to announce new projects that will expand the Port of Brunswick's operations.

Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff secured $14.6 million in federal funding to create a fourth berth at the Brunswick Port. A berth is a location in a port that allows ships to dock.

James McCurry, the Chief Administrative Officer for the Georgia Port Authority, said the addition of the fourth berth would allow the Brunswick Port to continue to grow by allowing for more flexibility and helping eliminate delays.

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"We have the land that we can continue to grow, but you can only grow on the land side how much you can accommodate on the berth side," McCurry said.

McCurry added that construction of the berth is expected to take two years.

Ossoff added that it is crucial to continue investing in Georgia ports because of the opportunities they provide to cities like Brunswick.

He said he hopes the berth will address issues brought forth by the pandemic.

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"I became so engaged in working to seek these resources because of supply chain bottlenecks we have seen during the COVID pandemic and some of the delays we have seen in logistics, so that is why I took action," Ossoff said.

Ossoff also announced the Port of Brunswick Navigation Channel Improvement Act, a piece of legislation that would widen the navigation channel at the entry of Brunswick's port.

He said the act is necessary following the construction of a new berth.

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"To improve the channel at the ports entry, at the harbor entry, so that vessels and the expected increase volume of vessels that will be taking advantage of the new berth can safely navigate the channel," Ossoff said.