How Brunswick Became America’s #1 Vehicle Port 🚗

How Brunswick Became America’s #1 Vehicle Port 🚗

Jun 20, 2025

If you’ve been wondering how a coastal town in Georgia snagged the title of America’s busiest vehicle port, you’re in the right place. I’ve dug into the data, the strategy, and even the turtle-friendly dredging plans to give you the real story behind Brunswick’s rise.


Whether you're in logistics, local government, or just curious how nearly a million vehicles moved through a town of under 100,000 people — I’ve got your answer.


How has the Port of Brunswick become the busiest vehicle port in the U.S.?

The Port of Brunswick reached the top by combining strategic investments, geographic advantages, and expanded rail and Ro-Ro infrastructure. In 2024, the port moved 901,912 Car Equivalent Units (CEUs), surpassing all U.S. ports in vehicle volume. A key factor was its growth in auto exports, up 13.3%, and a 160% surge in heavy equipment. The collapse of Baltimore’s bridge in 2024 contributed to the shift, but Brunswick was already rising due to its long-term infrastructure strategy, ample land, and lower exposure to volatile trade routes like China. With $35.3 million in federal funds now allocated for dredging, Brunswick is ensuring deepwater access to maintain and grow its competitive edge.


Brunswick didn’t just luck into this win — it planned for it. From aggressive port expansions to smart rail upgrades and even hurricane-proof tourism, this Georgia port city is playing the long game.


Let’s dig deeper into how it all came together. 👇


🚢 Inside the Port of Brunswick’s Rise to #1 in Vehicle Volume


Brunswick’s climb to the top of the vehicular shipping world is the result of years of smart planning, strong leadership, and well-timed infrastructure investments. While the bridge collapse in Baltimore in 2024 opened a door, Brunswick was already walking through it with purpose.

At the heart of this success is Colonel’s Island Terminal, the crown jewel of the Port of Brunswick. Designed specifically for Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) cargo — vehicles, heavy equipment, and machinery — this terminal has steadily scaled operations with aggressive growth strategies. In 2024, it hit a record 901,912 CEUs (Car Equivalent Units). For comparison, that’s roughly equivalent to offloading every vehicle sold in the state of California — twice.

But numbers alone don’t tell the whole story.




📈 Key Factors in Brunswick’s Surge:

  • Massive Increase in Heavy Equipment Shipments: Up 160% in 2024, as demand for construction, agricultural, and industrial machines soared globally.
  • Expanded Export Infrastructure: New rail lines on the south side of the terminal increased vehicle export capacity from 150,000 to 340,000 units, with a long-term goal of reaching 590,000 CEUs by 2030.
  • Strategic Location: Brunswick sits just off Interstate 95, with access to major vehicle manufacturing hubs in the Southeast. It’s close enough to matter, but far enough to dodge congestion.
  • Specialization in Ro-Ro: Unlike container ports (e.g., Savannah), Brunswick focuses on a narrow category of cargo. This allows for faster, more efficient turnarounds.


💡 An Expert View

Griff Lynch, President and CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority, put it succinctly:

“Brunswick is in a critical part of the supply chain.”

And that’s not hyperbole. According to a University of Georgia Selig Center for Economic Growth study, 12% of jobs in Georgia are connected to port activity. In Glynn County alone, 6,278 jobs depend on port operations.

The economic ripple effect includes:

  • Warehousing
  • Rail transport
  • Logistics and supply chain management
  • Industrial maintenance


And don’t forget tourism. Yes — the same ferries floating tourists between Jekyll and St. Simons Islands are part of the larger economic current driven by Brunswick’s growth.


⚠️ Avoiding Trouble in the Channel

Like all seaports, Brunswick faces environmental and logistical hurdles. The shipping channel requires regular dredging to remove sediment and maintain deepwater access. But in 2025, the Army Corps of Engineers missed its dredging window due to skyrocketing costs (almost triple the original budget).

Luckily, by May 2025, $35.3 million in federal funding was secured. Dredging will resume in September and complete by March 2026 — just in time to avoid disturbing the protected turtle population. 🐢


Let’s keep the momentum rolling with related questions your readers will naturally have.


🛤️ What Role Does Rail Play in Brunswick’s Port Expansion?

Rail isn’t just a backup plan — it’s Brunswick’s secret weapon. The port’s south terminal rail expansion has more than doubled its capacity to handle vehicles, making it easier and faster to get American-made cars from factory to freighter. This added flexibility makes Brunswick incredibly appealing to automakers looking for reliable export channels.

By 2030, rail throughput will reach 590,000 CEUs, nearly quadrupling its original load capacity. This reduces port congestion, streamlines inland transport, and supports sustainable logistics by reducing truck traffic. 🚛➡️🚂


⚖️ Did the Baltimore Bridge Collapse Really Help Brunswick?

Yes — but Brunswick didn’t simply stumble into first place. When the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed in 2024, it disrupted one of the country’s key auto ports. That opened a temporary window, but Brunswick was already strategically positioned to rise.

The Georgia Ports Authority had already invested heavily in:


So when Baltimore hit pause, Brunswick hit play. The port didn’t just catch the opportunity — it executed.


🌍 How Does Brunswick Avoid Global Trade Pitfalls?

Here’s where Brunswick’s specialization pays off. Unlike Savannah, which handles large volumes of containerized cargo (especially from China), Brunswick deals mostly in Ro-Ro cargo, often from non-tariff-sensitive markets.

This means:

  • Lower exposure to trade wars, especially tariffs on Chinese goods
  • More resilience during global shipping disruptions
  • A focus on U.S.-made exports, like cars and construction equipment


Even its breakbulk and pourable goods (such as agricultural exports) face less fluctuation than tech or apparel markets.


🏗️ What’s Next for Brunswick’s Port and the Community?

With infrastructure expanding and federal dredging secured, the next phase is sustainable growth:

  • Fourth Ro-Ro berth begins construction in 2025
  • New industrial and housing development near the port to support workforce needs
  • Continued investment in training programs, such as the Coastal Pines Technical College's avionics certificate and Wings of Grace aviation program


These developments ensure that Brunswick’s growth is not just about volume — it’s about building a connected, resilient economy that can handle whatever global shipping throws at it.


As Brunswick continues to grow into a national logistics hub, it’s not just cargo that’s rolling in — it’s opportunity. With new jobs, better infrastructure, and a thriving coastal lifestyle, there’s never been a better time to put down roots in the Golden Isles. Whether you're relocating for work, investing in the area’s growth, or just want to wake up near the water, we’ve got the perfect place for you to call home.


🌴🚪 Visit our residential real estate site today and explore what life in Brunswick can offer.