SAVANNAH—The Georgia Ports Authority and Logistec USA, Inc. signed a partnership Thursday that will modernize the East River Terminal at the Port of Brunswick to facilitate the growing international market for wood pellets. Logistec, a leading marine and environmental services provider, will invest $5 million to expand the biofuel export market in Georgia and increase capacity for handling a broad range of general and bulk cargo.
"We welcome this renewed partnership with Logistec and look forward to enhanced customer service at East River Terminal," said GPA Executive Director Curtis J. Foltz. "The significant expansion and installation of new infrastructure at East River Terminal will accommodate Georgia’s export for biomass fuels and create jobs throughout Georgia’s transportation, logistics and forest industries."
The East River Terminal will be upgraded significantly in the first phase of this expanded partnership to handle up to one million tons of wood pellets and chips annually.
"We are very pleased to participate as a key supplier in the development of the biomass industry in Georgia," said President and Chief Executive Officer of Logistec Corporation Madeleine Paquin. "Our commitment to invest in a modern facility specializing in the handling of wood and peanut pellets will ensure a key competitive component in the supply chain and will make available a competitive facility to generate growing exports from Georgia for years to come."
East River Terminal in Brunswick is within close proximity of customers’ manufacturing facilities in the heart of Georgia’s timber land. Pellets are easily and competitively transported to the terminal and stored before Logistec loads the cargo into vessels bound for biomass power plant utility companies in the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and elsewhere within the European Union.
"There will be further investment in East River Terminal and its handling facility as the market for biomass fuels grows," said Foltz.
The project will begin in September and is scheduled to be completed in January 2012. It will include deepening three berths to 36 feet at mean low water and significant investment upgrading the docks and handling facility.
About Logistec
: Logistec Corporation provides specialized cargo handling and other services to a wide variety of marine, industrial and municipal customers. The operations of Logistec Corporation, its subsidiaries, and its joint ventures are divided into two major segments: marine services and environmental services.
