Virginia, Georgia Ports Await Federal Approval for Collaboration in 'New Era in Global Trade'
The Virginia Port Authority and the Georgia Ports Authority on Feb. 24 filed with the Federal Maritime Commission to create an East Coast Gateway Terminal agreement.
The agreement encourages voluntary cooperation in the areas of operational and supply chain efficiencies, safety, communications and customer service, the Virginia and Georgia port officials said in a joint news release.
Additional areas of cooperation between the Georgia and Virginia ports are slated to include acquisition and use of joint marketing materials and sharing best practices in areas such as terminal operating systems, training, cargo handling, access, turn times and infrastructure. Promoting all-water routes from the U.S. East Coast to the international marketplace via the Panama Canal is also part of the agreement.
“The U.S. East Coast continues to see larger vessels and cargo exchanges since the opening of the expanded Panama Canal last year,” John Reinhart, the Virginia Port Authority’s CEO and executive director, and Georgia Ports Authority Director Griff Lynch said in the joint statement.
“Increasingly, our customers are seeking gateway ports on the East Coast that can leverage sufficient landside infrastructure to ensure the free flow of cargo. The states of Georgia and Virginia have made the necessary investments to prepare for this new era in global trade. The East Coast Gateway Terminal Agreement is an innovative collaboration that will allow us to find new ways to become more efficient and effective.”
