Sen. Ossoff briefed leaders on the bill in March
Bill will expand capacity, improve efficiency, and ease pressure on supply chains
Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Senate today passed U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff’s legislation to expand capacity and reduce supply chain bottlenecks at the Port of Brunswick.
Sen. Ossoff’s Port of Brunswick Navigation Channel Improvement Act will make upgrades to the Port’s navigation channel to ensure that increased shipping traffic can safely navigate the Port — boosting capacity and helping reduce supply chain bottlenecks.
“Amidst high inflation, I’ve continued working to ease pressure on supply chains by expanding capacity at Georgia’s ports. This week, my legislation to expand capacity at the Port of Brunswick has passed the Senate with bipartisan support,” Sen. Ossoff said. “Georgia’s port infrastructure supports prosperity in Coastal Georgia, helps make our state a world leader in logistics, and is essential to the continued growth of our manufacturing sector.”
Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock co-sponsored the Senate legislation.
The Port is already the second busiest for roll-on roll-off cargo nationwide, and according to the Georgia Ports Authority, the expanded channel would permit newer ships to use the Port, boost efficiency, attract more investment, and create more local jobs.
The Senate passed the bill with bipartisan support as part of this year’s Water Resources and Development Act Reauthorization.
“As the busiest gateway in the U.S. Southeast for Roll-on/Roll-off cargo, the Port of Brunswick plays a vital role in the international trade of vehicles and heavy machinery,” said Griff Lynch, executive director of the Georgia Ports Authority.“The proposed navigational improvements will allow GPA to serve large vessels with greater efficiency and strengthen Brunswick’s ability to attract and support Georgia jobs. We appreciate the efforts of Senators Ossoff and Warnock to pass federal legislation authorizing the work.”
“The City of Brunswick is a national economic hub, and Senators Ossoff and Warnock are helping ensure we continue to grow. This legislation will create good paying jobs in our community and help take Georgia’s economy to new heights. On behalf of Brunswick, I thank them for introducing this important legislation,” said Brunswick Mayor Cosby H. Johnson.
“ILA Local 1423 strongly supports Senators Ossoff and Warnock’s new legislation. Expanded capacity at the Port will create more good-paying Union jobs and boost economic activity for our city and surrounding communities,” said International Longshoreman Association Local 1423 President Kenny Thorpe. “We are grateful to Senators Ossoff and Warnock for their support!”
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