The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) is the administrative agency of the U.S. state of Georgia that oversees the development, maintenance and operation of two deepwater seaports and two inland ports in the state. The GPA was established in 1945 by State Ports Authority Act #422 and is currently headquartered in Savannah, which hosts the vast majority of Georgia's sea-based trade. In addition to trade, the GPA seeks to protect the environment of coastal Georgia and to foster the development of industry in the state.
The GPA operates four ports. Its two Atlantic seaports are the Port of Savannah and the Port of Brunswick; its two inland ports, both linked to the Gulf of Mexico, are Port Bainbridge and Port Columbus. The Port of Savannah is based in Garden City and the Port of Brunswick is located in Brunswick. Each of these ports hosts multiple terminals. The Port of Savannah, by far the largest, is the flagship port.
In 2007, the GPA purchased 175 acres (0.71 km2) of land for $47.5 million on Hutchinson Island, Georgia for the development of future cargo ship terminals at the Port of Savannah.
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