Gov. Deal announces Kia, rail provider partnership at Cordele inland port
Cordele Intermodal Services to partner with Kia Motors
From Staff Reports
CORDELE — Gov. Nathan Deal announced today that the state’s first inland port has struck a deal with Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia that will allow Cordele Intermodal Services handle up to 30,000 TEU (20-foot equivalent) shipping containers per year to supply the company’s West Point manufacturing plant.
The partnership, which was announced in a news release from the Georgia Ports Authority, will save more than 6 million truck miles per year as auto parts will now be brought by rail from the Port of Savannah to the inland terminal, which will then transport those parts to West Point via motor carrier.
“Kia has been a remarkably successful economic driver for West Point, and Georgia’s inland terminals provide a new efficient way for companies to transport goods throughout the state,” Deal said. “This partnership and use of the inland port will reduce congestion on our highways and lower transportation costs, using new infrastructure to benefit both companies and the West Point area. The inland rail yards enable Georgia companies to grow to meet the demands of the Southeastern states, while bolstering economic development across the state.”
Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia currently employs more than 3,000 people at its West Point facility, which, together with local suppliers, has created an additional 15,000 area jobs. Since its $100 million expansion in 2011, the plant currently has the capacity to produce 360,000 vehicles per year, according to a press release.
“There is a direct cost savings to the importer,” said CIS President Jonathan Lafevers in the release. “Furthermore, storage and handling fees are reduced or completely eliminated by utilizing Cordele as the origin and destination location for the containers.”
The Cordele Inland Terminal, served by shortline rail providers, currently operates on 40 acres with an option to expand on additional available land nearby. Service areas include southwest Georgia, southern Alabama and western Florida. Cordele was recently designated as an official container yard by shipping lines Maersk, NYK, CMA-CGM, MSC and ZIM, which will save time and transportation costs for port customers.
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