Exporting Heavy Equipment Through Savannah, GA: RoRo, Container, and Flat Rack Options
The Port of Savannah, Georgia, is one of the busiest container ports in the United States and a major gateway for heavy equipment exports to Latin America, West Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Savannah's Garden City Terminal handles containerized and flat rack cargo, while Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) equipment exports are primarily handled at the nearby Port of Brunswick. Understanding which shipping method fits your equipment — and how to coordinate inland transport with vessel schedules — is critical to a smooth export. IronHaul Logistics handles domestic transport to both Savannah and Brunswick and works with your freight forwarder on the ocean leg.
Savannah vs. Brunswick: Which Port for Your Equipment?
The Georgia Ports Authority operates two facilities relevant to heavy equipment exporters:
- Garden City Terminal (Port of Savannah): The primary container port. Handles 20ft and 40ft/High Cube containers, flat racks, and breakbulk cargo. Best for smaller equipment, dismantled machinery, parts, and oversized units that can be crane-loaded onto flat racks.
- Colonel's Island Terminal (Port of Brunswick): The primary RoRo facility for the region. Handles drivable and towable equipment — excavators, dozers, wheel loaders, forklifts, and other self-propelled machinery. Equipment must be operable (or towable) for RoRo loading.
Both ports are approximately 70 miles apart. IronHaul coordinates inland transport to whichever facility your freight forwarder has booked, and can advise on which port is appropriate for your equipment type.
Shipping Method Comparison
| Method | Best For | Port | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| RoRo | Operable wheeled/tracked equipment | Brunswick | Machine must start and drive or be towable; fuel ≤25%; battery disconnected |
| Container (20ft/40ft HC) | Smaller equipment, parts, dismantled machines | Savannah | Must fit through container door; proper blocking and bracing required |
| Flat Rack | Oversized equipment that won't fit in container | Savannah | Crane-loaded; machine secured to flat rack with chains; out-of-gauge (OOG) booking required |
| Breakbulk | Very large machines exceeding flat rack capacity | Savannah | Requires specialized vessel booking; less frequent sailings |
RoRo Export Workflow (Port of Brunswick)
- Book with a freight forwarder: Secure a RoRo booking reference before scheduling inland transport. Vessel schedules and receiving windows vary by carrier (Wallenius Wilhelmsen, Höegh, EUKOR, etc.).
- Prepare the machine: Reduce fuel to 25% or less, disconnect the battery, remove or secure loose attachments, and clean the machine of mud and debris.
- Inland transport to Brunswick: IronHaul delivers the machine to Colonel's Island Terminal within the vessel's cargo receiving window (typically 3–7 days before sailing).
- Terminal gate check-in: The driver presents the booking reference, commercial invoice, and EEI filing confirmation. The terminal inspects the machine and assigns a staging location.
- RoRo loading: Terminal staff drive or tow the machine onto the vessel. Machines that cannot be driven require advance notification and may be redirected to flat rack or breakbulk.
Container Export Workflow (Port of Savannah)
- Book with a freight forwarder: Secure a container booking (20ft, 40ft, or 40ft High Cube) and obtain a booking reference number.
- Prepare the machine: Drain or reduce fluids, remove attachments, and clean thoroughly. For containerized shipment, the machine must fit through the container door opening (typically 7'8" wide x 7'5" tall for standard containers; 7'8" wide x 8'5" tall for High Cube).
- Stuffing (loading into container): Smaller machines can be driven or forklift-loaded into the container. Larger machines may need to be tilted on their side — a specialized operation requiring advance planning.
- Blocking and bracing: The machine must be properly blocked and braced inside the container to prevent movement during ocean transit. This is a critical step — improperly secured cargo can damage the machine and the container.
- Delivery to Savannah terminal: IronHaul delivers the stuffed container to Garden City Terminal within the vessel's receiving window. Gate appointments are required — walk-ins are frequently refused.
Documentation Requirements
All equipment exports from US ports require:
- Commercial Invoice: Describes the equipment, quantity, and declared value.
- Packing List: Details the contents of each container or flat rack.
- Certificate of Title / Proof of Ownership: Required for all self-propelled equipment.
- Electronic Export Information (EEI): Filed via AES Direct for all shipments valued over $2,500. Required before the cargo can be released to the vessel.
- Booking Confirmation: From the ocean carrier or freight forwarder.
Inland Transport Timing
Coordinating inland transport with vessel receiving windows is the most common source of delays in equipment export. IronHaul works directly with your freight forwarder to align pickup and delivery timing with the vessel schedule. For auction-sourced equipment (Ritchie Bros., IronPlanet), we coordinate with the auction yard's release process to ensure the machine is available for pickup before the receiving window opens.
IronHaul Logistics handles domestic transport to the Port of Savannah (Garden City Terminal) and Port of Brunswick (Colonel's Island Terminal) for equipment exporters of all sizes. Call (208) 495-2260, email [email protected], or submit our online quote form to discuss your export transport needs.
Common questions
Should I use the Port of Savannah or Port of Brunswick for equipment export?
It depends on your shipping method. RoRo (drivable equipment) goes through the Port of Brunswick (Colonel's Island Terminal). Container and flat rack cargo goes through the Port of Savannah (Garden City Terminal). IronHaul delivers to both facilities.
What does my equipment need to be ready for RoRo export?
For RoRo, the machine must be operable (starts and drives) or towable. Reduce fuel to 25% or less, disconnect the battery, remove or secure loose attachments, and clean the machine of mud and debris. Non-operable machines must be redirected to flat rack or breakbulk.
What documentation is required to export heavy equipment from Savannah?
Required documents include: commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of title/proof of ownership, Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing via AES Direct (for shipments over $2,500), and booking confirmation from the ocean carrier or freight forwarder.
How far in advance should I schedule inland transport for equipment export?
Vessel receiving windows typically open 3–7 days before sailing. IronHaul recommends booking inland transport at least 7–10 days before the vessel's receiving window opens to allow time for permit coordination and carrier scheduling.
Can IronHaul pick up equipment from an auction yard and deliver it to the port for export?
Yes. IronHaul coordinates auction yard pickup (Ritchie Bros., IronPlanet, Purple Wave, and others) and delivers directly to the Port of Savannah or Port of Brunswick. We coordinate with the auction yard's release process and your freight forwarder's vessel schedule.
Ready to move a machine?
Tell us what you're shipping and where. We quote direct — no bidding wars, no load-board runaround.