US tariffs dent vehicle growth at Brunswick in 2025

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Almost 779,000 passenger vehicles were processed through the US port of Brunswick in the 2025 calendar year, along with more than 53,000 units of rolling and static heavy equipment.

Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) said that reduced production and shipments of some vehicles to the US affected global trade last year, with trade routes from Mexico and Europe the most into the East Coast port most affected.

The impact of US tariffs on vehicle imports had repercussions across vehicle ports in the US and abroad, with the initial 25% tariff effective from April causing carmakers to hold volumes at ports of export. GPA said that last summer vehicle makers paused shipments and factories were temporarily closed in Mexico, Europe and Asia. 

Luxury US vehicle exports to China out of Brunswick also decreased by almost 18% in 2025, in part because of strong competition from domestic carmakers in China. According to GPA approximately 139,250 luxury vehicles were exported through Brunswick last year compared with 169,525 in 2024 (-17.8%). 

Expanding infrastructure

The Colonel’s Island terminal at Brunswick port underwent a massive $262m infrastructure expansion in 2024 to support increased volumes of both passenger vehicles and heavy equipment. GPA worked with finished vehicle logistics provider Wallenius Wilhelmsen and terminal infrastructure developer TransDevelopment Group (TDG) to expand operations and upgrade existing terminal facilities. The overall project accommodates a new vehicle processing centre (VPC) for Nissan North America and the shift of Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s equipment-handling operations from the port of Savannah to Brunswick. 

A spokesperson for Wallenius Wilhelmsen said that in 2025 volumes reflected a diversified mix of autos, heavy equipment and breakbulk, with particularly strong activity in the breakbulk segment. 

“Since the expansion, we have continued to strengthen the use of digital tools to improve visibility, efficiency and quality across vehicle and heavy equipment flows,” said the spokesperson. “This includes greater use of end‑to‑end visibility solutions across terminal operations, processing activities and inland transportation, supporting better planning and coordination. We have also expanded the use of mobile workflows and technology‑enabled inspections to support operational control and service reliability." 

Construction is now underway on a fourth berth at the Colonel’s Island terminal, a $100m project that will further boost capacity for vehicles, heavy equipment and project cargo. That project is due for completion in 2027, according to GPA.  

“In addition to autos and heavy machinery, the new berth will enhance Brunswick’s ability to handle oversized high and heavy cargo,” said a spokesperson for the port authority. “Upgrades also include expanded heavy-duty paving at Berth 1, also due in 2027.” 

Rail connections

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GPA has also completed Phase 1 of the Southside Railyard on Colonel’s Island. The $22m project more than doubles rail capacity for vehicle shipments from 175,000 vehicles to 370,000 per year. That added rail capacity will allow additional inland producers of vehicles and heavy equipment to tap into GPA’s global connectivity, according to the authority. 

The opening of Gainesville Inland Port in May this year will provide rail access to GPA’s other port at Savannah, which will also support heavy equipment manufacturers. Savannah is a container port and the Gainesville Inland Port will support containerised shipments of imported machinery parts. 

At the same time, improvements to the federal harbour at Brunswick are progressing. The US Army Corps of Engineers has completed maintenance dredging to restore full channel depth, with additional widening projects planned.