International Auto Processing (IAP), which provides vehicle processing services at the US port of Brunswick, has handled its 5 millionth vehicle at the Colonel's Island terminal. The milestone vehicle was a silver Hyundai Genesis and was delivered to the port aboard the Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics vessel, Isolde.
As well as Hyundai-Kia, IAP handles vehicles for Audi, Bentley, General Motors, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Volkswagen at the terminal. IAP's handling services include unloading and storage of new vehicles, providing quality checks, accessorisation, and also preparing the vehicles for transport to dealers.
Vehicles imported via Brunswick arrive from Europe, Asia and Mexico, and account for around two thirds of volume handled by IAP at the port.
"In 2014, we handled more than 450,000 vehicles," said Robert Miller, IAP's president and CEO. "Most of the import vehicles handled by IAP are delivered to the six-state Southeast area, although some customers serve dealerships as far west as Texas and as far north as the mid-Atlantic states."
Miller went on to point out that the Colonel's Island terminal, which as part of Brunswick is owned by Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), has grown in recognition as a gateway to the Southeastern US market.
The port purports to be the busiest in the US for the import of new vehicles and the second biggest port in total import-export trade. By the end of 2014, GPA reported that its terminals in Brunswick and Savannah surpassed 7m vehicles moved since 1986.
GPA ended last year with growth across all cargo sectors, including a 7.4% increase in total tonnage, and a 10.2% increase in container handling.
"On behalf of the GPA, I would like to congratulate IAP, a long-time partner at the port of Brunswick," said Georgia Ports Authority executive director Curtis Foltz. "This important milestone exemplifies IAP's reliability and the trust automakers have in their service."
International Auto Processing began its Colonel's Island operation in 1986, with its first shipment of 567 Yugos.
Since the beginning of operations at the automotive terminal, IAP has been joined by three other auto processors: Amports, Atlantic Vehicle Processors, and Mercedes-Benz USA. According to GPA, last year four processors served 20 carmakers, moving 674,327 vehicles over Colonel's Island an 8.3% (51,625-unit) improvement over fiscal year 2013.
