Brothers and Sisters,
Good afternoon and happy Saturday!
We have another busy few days and nights ahead of us, so I wanted to take a little time to go over some of the things that are going on around the terminal and within our Local.
First, I want to thank everyone for continuing to step up and cover these heavy weekends. I know the pace has been steady, and I appreciate the hard work each and every one of you continues to put in.
SAFETY
Safety continues to be one of our biggest priorities.
We continue to work on housekeeping from all angles to help reduce injuries and lost time. We are also working on getting heavier crane hammers available for handling stuck twist locks.
Please continue to follow “See Something, Say Something” and maintain situational awareness throughout your shift.
Equipment parking locations have also been confirmed:
- Gondolas: CB1 fence line, 601 high end and 801 high end
- STINIS gear: CB1 fence line, 601 high end and 801 high end
- MAFIs: 601 high end
Speakers have also been added to the Perry Weather system to improve communication.
These may seem like small things, but small things done correctly can make a big difference when it comes to safety.
PRODUCTION
Weather continues to be a major factor in our production numbers.
We had approximately 300 lost hours in July and another 250 lost hours in August to date due to weather.
One area we continue to watch closely is production during meal breaks. We are also seeing production decline between 0500 and 0600, while thunderstorms between 1600 and 1900 continue to have a significant impact.
Back-reach operations continue to perform well at approximately 28.6 gross MPH and 29.3 working MPH.
GATE OPERATIONS
Gate volume has been extremely busy.
Gate volume exceeded 15,000 moves four separate times during the past month. Overall gate volume is beginning to level out, but we are still moving a tremendous amount of cargo through the terminal.
CYCLE OPERATIONS
Cycle performance continues to improve.
We are currently averaging approximately 35.9 gross MPH, representing about 8% of total throughput.
In July, there were 25,558 moves across 276 cycles, averaging 34.9 gross MPH and representing approximately 9% of total throughput.
Current average cycle performance:
- One-lane cycles: 31.9 MPH
- Two-lane cycles: 39.0 MPH
Two-lane cycle performance improved by approximately 0.5 MPH compared with the previous month.
In July, there were 88 two-lane cycles averaging 40.3 MPH.
In August, there were 43 two-lane cycles averaging 38.5 MPH.
Cycle size does not appear to negatively affect performance. Smaller cycles of fewer than 50 moves continue to perform well when operated as two-lane cycles.
On the AIN SNAN, 3.8% of the vessel’s cargo was completed through two-lane cycles.
The night shift is also successfully splitting cycle load-back trucks, including between the two yards, because there are fewer over-the-road trucks present during those hours.
Overall, cycle operations continue to be an area where we are seeing good performance, and we will continue to watch these numbers closely as volume continues to increase.
TICO DISPATCH
TICO dispatch performance has been another area of discussion.
Comeback performance has recently fallen below 26 MPH, with August currently averaging approximately 26.02 MPH. Weather continues to be a major factor.
Dispatch accuracy is leveling out across the different start times:
- Fresh starts: 97% dispatch accuracy / 21.14 MPH
- Comebacks: 98% dispatch accuracy / 23.70 MPH
Late-driver percentages have improved to approximately 27–30%, which has been attributed to increased header and management presence in the TICO yards.
One important reminder: when a load move appears on the screen, the driver should proceed from the yard directly to the assigned stack—not to the vessel first.
VESSEL AND OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS
There were 27 vessel failures last month, primarily involving missing twist locks or containers not being seated correctly.
Two-person crews are expected to remain on the vessel while working on deck. AOMs should contact headers or walking bosses when additional assistance is needed.
Deck personnel also need to make sure containers are loaded into the correct slots. Incorrect placement can create significant delays throughout the operation.
A few other reminders:
- Chairs are not permitted on the ship’s deck.
- Containers should not be sent to the TICO yard for any reason.
- During weather standby, drivers should remain inside their trucks and trucks should remain in the lead.
- We need to determine whether import containers can be moved to the yard during weather standby.
- Yard-specific export locations need to be established where trucks can unload.
- RTGs need to be available in their assigned discharge bays before meal breaks.
- Dock personnel and kitchen clerks need to communicate when the final import truck is being sent to the field before a break.
- Headers should not release drivers early for meal breaks and should be in the lead 30 minutes before the scheduled break.
- Shift-start paperwork should be distributed upstairs as one package rather than being divided between Locals 1414 and 1475.
GPA RTGs are also using a new discharge process that briefly raises containers a few inches before completing the move. We will continue to monitor this and make sure proper communication and training are provided.
LOOKING AHEAD
Things continue to move in the right direction here at the Port of Savannah.
Volume continues to climb, and looking ahead, the future continues to look very good for our Local.
Our current forecast is:
9/14: 40 vessel calls / 74,542 lifts (current week)
9/21: 40 vessel calls / 69,009 lifts
9/28: 38 vessel calls / 67,204 lifts
10/05: 43 vessel calls / 73,717 lifts
That is close to 285,000 lifts over a four-week period.
Those numbers speak for themselves and show just how busy this port continues to be.
We also have straddle carriers arriving at Ocean Terminal. We are still shooting for April 2027 to begin operations down there.
The Break Bulk operation is also getting closer. The first ship is still scheduled for this month, and after some changes to the opening date, we are basically waiting on that first ship to arrive. Metro Ports has everything they need for payroll and dispatching purposes.
GATE TALKS & JURISDICTION
Our first initial gate talks went very well.
For now, Gates 9 and 10 are off the table, and there are no immediate plans for those gates to open. Our focus remains on The Rail, Gates 3, 4, 8 and Ocean Terminal.
I was also informed this past week that Gateway and GPA have been discussing the Trouble Resolution Desk, with ILA 1475 potentially manning these positions.
When I asked where we were at, I was told “50/50.”
That is a major step in the right direction toward reclaiming jobs that fall within the ILA’s clerical jurisdiction.
50/50 is better than 0/100.
I will continue to keep everyone updated as these discussions move forward.
TIR CLERKS
I also want to remind all of our TIR Clerks how important your job is.
Now more than ever, I need every TIR Clerk to perform a thorough inspection, arrive on time, go to break on time and leave when dismissed by the SCWC.
These things matter, especially as our volume continues to increase.
The Port Authority has also instructed drivers to exit the cab of their truck while the clerk is performing the interchange.
No clerk should begin the interchange function until the driver has exited the cab and delivered the TIR ticket to the clerk.
Please make sure we follow this procedure every time. This is a safety issue, and we need everyone doing it correctly.
PLANNING / PRE-STOW
We have also finally reached a Planning/Pre-stow agreement.
Upon ratification by the membership, we will have a sign-up available for everyone who is qualified and interested in the position.
This is another positive step forward for our membership and our Local.
ILA 1475 will finally reclaim clerical jurisdiction over ALL planning and pre-stow operations, including receiving/dropping all BAPLIE/EDI’s, communication with the carriers/customers of GPA and Gateway Terminals, and ultimately controlling the planning information from start to finish in the TOS (terminal operating system).
That is a big deal for our Local and something we have been working toward.
TRAINING
We have also just wrapped up another great round of Super Chief training.
As I have said before, the more knowledge and skills we continue to build within our membership, the stronger we make our Local.
I will continue to stress the importance of signing up for ALL training opportunities that are provided to you.
Take advantage of these opportunities. Knowledge is power, and the more we know, the better prepared we are for the future.
VCC REMINDER
If you are employed in the VCC, please remember during operations to “mark for fetch” and communicate with the RTGs that you will be using.
If you cannot get in touch with your RTG operator, relay that message to your Zone SCWC. From there, the Zone SCWC needs to communicate the issue with management.
We are continuing to fight with the Port Authority over their lack of communication with our clerks.
Simple communication with ILA clerks can get us those little .5 moves before and after breaks that can help our overall gross and working production.
Every move matters.
BREAK & FINISH HOUR PRODUCTION
Production and working moves per hour continue to remain a major focus.
I pulled the break and finish-hour production data going back to May 1, 2026, and the results continue to show the same trend we have been discussing for several months.
Our current gross production during these hours is:
11:00–12:00: 27.48 GMPH
17:00–18:00: 25.07 GMPH
23:00–24:00: 26.75 GMPH
05:00–06:00: 23.50 GMPH
These hours represent a significant opportunity to improve overall vessel productivity.
Success during these periods will require strong coordination and leadership on the deck. Headers need to remain actively engaged in managing knockoffs, and D&D needs to help coordinate final box movements with the headers and drivers.
While these four hours only account for part of each shift, they have a meaningful impact on our overall performance.
Improving production by just 1–2 GMPH during these periods could increase our overall terminal productivity by approximately 0.25–0.50 GMPH.
That would be a significant gain.
FACIAL RECOGNITION REMINDER
Finally, I want to remind everyone about facial recognition registration.
If you have not registered yet, please take care of it as soon as possible.
GPA continues to have opportunities on site and at the credentialing center to get members registered. Please don’t wait until the last minute.
Once the enrollment deadline passes, those who are not registered will not have normal building access and may have to be manually buzzed in.
Registration only takes a few minutes, so please get it done.
CLOSING
As I said in my Labor Day message, we have a lot to be proud of.
The work we do every day matters, not just to this port, but to our families, our community and the future of the ILA. As you all have often heard me say, “it’s time that we take care of the work that takes care of us.”
We have built something strong here, and our responsibility is to continue protecting the work we have while preparing ourselves for what is coming next.
The Port of Savannah is booming, and right now there is no indication that things are slowing down anytime soon.
Our future is bright, but we have to continue doing our part to make sure our Local is ready for it.
Thank you all for your hard work, dedication and professionalism.
Let’s keep pushing forward, keep communicating, and most importantly, keep taking care of one another.
ONE TEAM! ONE PURPOSE! ILA ALL THE WAY!
“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour” – Ecclesiastes 4:9
“We’re going to show these greedy bastards you can’t survive without us!” – ILA International President Harold Daggett
“Change is uncomfortable but it is inevitable. It pushes us out of our comfort zones and forces us to adapt, which naturally creates tension and friction. However, change is also the only path to growth, new opportunities and progress.” – UGA Head Coach Kirby Smart
Every task matters when it’s done for the right reason. Whether it’s rigging, securing, lifting or moving containers, do your work with excellence as an act of service to the Lord. Faith turns ordinary work into something extraordinary.
In Solidarity,
Josh & TEAM
GO DAWGS! 🦴🦴🦴