Bradley is joined by Georgia Ports Authority’s Stacy Watson to explore the critical role ports play in the flow of goods across America—and how Savannah has emerged as a global powerhouse in ocean freight. They discuss the fundamentals of port operations, the ripple effects of the Panama Canal expansion, and the major infrastructure investments shaping the next decade of U.S. trade.

Show Notes: In this episode of Industrial Voices, host Bradley Dunn sits down with Stacy Watson, Director of Economic & Industrial Development at the Georgia Ports Authority, to unpack the mechanics, strategy, and future of one of the nation’s fastest-growing ports.

With over three decades at GPA, Stacy has guided manufacturers, distributors, and site selectors through the complexities of global freight. From explaining TEUs and free trade zones to outlining how ocean freight connects seamlessly with rail and truck, Stacy offers a rare insider’s view of how ports operate—and why Savannah’s model is winning.

The conversation also covers GPA’s response to the Panama Canal expansion, current cargo trends in a post-COVID world, and the capital projects positioning Georgia Ports for sustained growth.

Topics Covered:

• Ocean Freight 101: TEUs, cargo types, and how ports fit into a supply chain
• The impact of the 2016 Panama Canal expansion on East Coast ports
• Savannah Harbor Expansion Project and dredging strategy
• How Georgia Ports influences the Southeastern U.S. economy
• Trends in port traffic, global sourcing, and e-commerce logistics
• Current and future infrastructure investments at GPA
• When and how industrial users should engage with port leadership

About the Guest: Stacy Watson is the Director of Economic & Industrial Development at the Georgia Ports Authority, overseeing strategies that connect global trade to inland U.S. markets. Based in Savannah, he works closely with economic development teams, corporate site selectors, and industrial developers to integrate port access into long-term logistics planning.