Most Container Ships look like a mixed stack of Legos on a Large Boat.

Between the 1920s and 1970s, Savannah had only the capabilities for older and smaller vessels to come in under the oldest bridge crossing the Savannah River, the Talmadge Bridge. When the new bridge was built in 1991, they used the same name.

Back in 1980s, Georgia state and local projects such as Chamber of Commerce and Local Governments planned to replace the original Talmadge Bridge to make it taller so that the bigger ships could get in or out. They start construction in 1988. In 1991, the new structure with its ability to accommodate more traffic and bigger ships was completed. It opened in November 1991. Talmadge Bridge is a Stayed Cable design, like other bridges such as the Golden Gate Bridge, however the Talmadge Bridge is a thoroughly Modern design.

Bigger Ships like Container ships and other Vessels began to go through under the new Talmadge Bridge. The clearance height on the bridge was 185 ft and the depth of the river ranges 50 or 100 ft , depending upon the tide.

Container Ships are single-handedly the largest ships to come through Savannah. They must move slowly to make sure make they fit through the area between Savannah and Hutchinson Island where the river is at its tightest. While the Savannah River easily accommodates smaller or medium sized vessels simultaneously, larger vessels may have to wait off of the East Coast of Savannah near Tybee Island until there is enough space to come through. The size of the vessels coming in determines the number of berths available.

Tug Boats in Savannah. They help with lots of Maritime Traffic.

Tug Boats in Savannah guide the massive ships by pulling or pushing along. In the Port of Savannah when the ships arrive or leave, the tug boats are assigned to one of the bigger ships when it is ready to enter or leave the port, If the vessel is facing towards the west, they’ll have to turn the ship around in the large basin so that it is facing towards to Atlantic. Inbound arrival want to moor to the port or turn around to the basin to towards to Atlantic and moor to the ports. Smaller vessels will have to do their own turn around without assistance. This occurs 20 minutes before the ship is allowed to tuck in to the Ports.

What’s the Maximum TEU Vessel in Savannah?

The Maximum TEU’s in Savannah is 16,000 TEU’s (twenty foot equivalent unit) with a newest record since May 2021. In May 2021, the largest container ship to visit the Port of Savannah was CMA CGM MARCO POLO. It entered Savannah with the help of tugs early in the morning. The tugs were needed to help and guide the tight corners of the Savannah River.

How did that Vessel made it to Savannah with an clearance below?

The Savannah River has been dredged deep before the large vessels could attempt coming in. Currently the River Project is halfway completed and when finished, even bigger vessels will be able to make it through. The current bridge clearance is 185 ft and Marco Polo’s wingspan length was 175 ft which is about the maximum it can accommodate. When the River Project is complete, the clearance will be 230 ft.The larger clearance afforded by the River Project will allow the rest of the other vessels to proceed with TEUs of 13,000 , 14,000 15,000 and 16,000 and smaller Vessels like 6K – 12K TEUs to bring them in.

In conclusion, the Port of Savannah will soon have many more ships arriving to enjoy. It’s a thrill to watch these vessels travel through the historical Port of Savannah, Georgia.

• Brandt Thornock