Georgia: Subaru Picks Brunswick as its Southeast Gateway

Subaru has selected the Georgia Ports Authority’s Colonel’s Island ro/ro facility in the Port of Brunswick as its gateway into the Southeastern United States. Subaru National Transportation Manager Larry Strug said Brunswick will serve two zones in Subaru’s national distribution network, covering an area extending from North Carolina to Florida. Other Subaru gateway terminals are located at the ports of Baltimore; Richmond, Calif.; and Vancouver, Wash.

The Japanese carmaker announced at a national dealer meeting that it will move 15,000 vehicles annually through Colonel’s Island starting in mid-July. Models include the Forester, Crosstrek, Impreza, WRX STI and BRZ. The ocean carrier will be NYK.  

"We accessorize our vehicles and put certain options on them at ports," Mr. Strug said. "We think it gives us an advantage in the marketplace for customers to be able to somewhat customize their vehicles." 

Mr. Strug noted that Volvo is already doing something similar at Brunswick, giving Subaru an opportunity to take advantage of existing systems. He added that Subaru’s business model of customizing cars at ports means more local jobs. WWL Vehicle Services Americas won the auto processing contract. 

Colonel’s Island is served by three ro/ro berths and five on-terminal auto processors and has immediate access to I-95 puts 44 percent of the U.S. population. The terminal also offers expedited delivery by rail to the major population centers of Atlanta, Birmingham, Charlotte, Memphis and Orlando. 

According to the GPA, its Brunswick terminal handled a record 609,514 auto and machinery units in 2012, up from 495,100 in 2011.

American Association of Port Authorities
Asociación Americana de Autoridades Portuarias
1201 Maryland Ave SW, Suite 860, Washington, D.C. 20024
E: info@aapa-ports.org
W: www.aapa-ports.org