Georgia merchandise exports set a record last year, increasing 4.2 percent compared to 2012, growing from $36.1 billion to $37.6 billion, according to a report released this week from the International Trade Administration.
The state’s strong showing helped the United States hit an all-time record for exports of U.S. goods and services, reaching $2.3 trillion in 2013 and supporting nearly 10 million American jobs.
“This data shows that more and more Georgia companies are growing their businesses and strengthening our economy by selling their top-quality goods to consumers around the globe,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. “Exports continue to be an important driver for both the U.S. and Georgia economies.”
Georgia’s merchandise export sales in 2013 outpaced 2012 figures in many top destinations, including: up 34 percent in Spain, 34 percent in the United Kingdom, 24 percent in the United Arab Emirates and up 17 percent in both India and Italy.
Key merchandise export categories included transportation equipment, machinery, chemicals, paper and food.
“Georgia exporters continue to ramp up their sales by selling to markets around the world with quality, made-in-the-USA products,” said Todd Gerken, director of the U.S. Commercial Service in Savannah. “By selling internationally, many of these exporters are better able to weather changes in the economy while building their global competitiveness.”
At Georgia Ports Authority, the fourth-largest container port in the country, exports account for 53 percent of all cargo.
With more than 100 offices across the United States and in American embassies and consulates in more than 70 countries, ITA’s U.S. Commercial Service connects U.S. companies with international buyers. In 2013, ITA helped U.S. businesses facilitate nearly 15,000 export successes.
Companies interested in learning more about exporting should contact their local office in Savannah at 912-652-4204 or go to www.export.gov/Georgia.
Logistics Summit filling up
Registration is already filling up for the 2014 Georgia Logistics Summit, set for March 18-19 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
Last year’s summit was a sell-out, with more than 2,000 logistics professionals from more than 30 states and 10 countries.
The 2014 summit includes keynotes and multiple sessions on international trade, manufacturing, growth in Georgia, imports, exports and domestic logistics, among other topics.
To see the full agenda and find out how to register, go to http://www.georgialogistics.com/logistics-summit/agenda.
Senior business writer Mary Carr Mayle covers the ports for the Savannah Morning News and savannahnow.com. Reach her at 912-652-0324 or mary.mayle@savannahnow.com.
SHIPPING SCHEDULE
Following are the ships expected to call on Georgia Ports Authority’s Garden City and Ocean terminals this week. Schedules are supplied by GPA and are subject to change.
TERMINAL VESSEL ETA
GCT MOL ENCORE Today
GCT AKRITAS Today
GCT MSC TORONTO Today
GCT BUXCOAST Today
GCT HANJIN DUESSELDORF Today
GCT ZIM TARRAGONA Today
OT GRANDE SIERRA LEONE Today
OT CONTI OPAL Today
GCT HANJIN ATLANTA Saturday
GCT APL OMAN Saturday
GCT XIN YANG ZHOU Saturday
GCT MAERSK DRUMMOND Sunday
GCT MSC CAROLINA Sunday
GCT HOUSTON EXPRESS Sunday
GCT ANNA MAERSK Sunday
OT TIGER Sunday
GCT NYK JOANNA Monday
GCT DEIRA Monday
GCT MAERSK PITTSBURGH Monday
GCT APL TOURMALINE Tuesday
GCT CHEMBULK MINNEAPOLIS Tuesday
GCT EVER DEVOTE Tuesday
GCT ZIM LUANDA Tuesday
GCT IBRAHIM DEDE Tuesday
GCT MSC ANGELA Tuesday
OT ATLANTIC VENUS Tuesday
GCT NEW YORK TRADER Wednesday
GCT MAERSK ALTAIR Wednesday
GCT HALIFAX EXPRESS Wednesday
GCT YORKTOWN EXPRESS Wednesday
GCT LESSOW SWAN Wednesday
GCT EVER ELITE Wednesday
GCT NYK DAEDALUS Wednesday
GCT BERLIN EXPRESS Wednesday
OT TAMERLANE Wednesday
GCT VENICE BRIDGE Thursday
GCT JPO CAPRICORNUS Thursday
GCT MAERSK CAROLINA Thursday
GCT SAFMARINE BANDAMA Thursday
GCT ZIM SHENZHEN Thursday
GCT MSC MARINA Thursday
GCT GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE Thursday
GCT RIO THOMPSON Thursday
GCT HANJIN DURBAN Thursday
OT BBC GREENLAND Thursday