The Port of Savannah: A Gateway to U.S.-Vietnam Commerce

The Port of Savannah is witnessing an impressive surge in trade with Vietnam, positioning itself as a pivotal gateway in U.S.-Vietnam relations. Recent data highlights this dynamic shift, underscoring the significance of Savannah in the evolving landscape of international trade.

A Rapidly Growing Trade Partner

Vietnam has emerged as the Port of Savannah’s fastest-growing trade partner, driven by a surge in manufacturing and a committed effort to enhance the country’s logistics infrastructure. “With its strategic location and business-friendly policies, Vietnam represents an expanding logistics market,” stated Georgia Ports President and CEO, Griff Lynch. This growth trajectory emphasizes the essential role Vietnam is playing in the international trade arena.

Trade Agreements Paving the Way

A recent bilateral agreement between the U.S. and Vietnam to reduce reciprocal tariffs to 20% on imports is a game-changer. In some categories, tariffs may even drop to zero, providing American exports unprecedented access to Vietnamese markets. Over the past five years, Savannah’s container trade with Vietnam has surged by an impressive 38%, adding 104,000 twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) for a total of 379,000 TEUs in fiscal year 2025.

Two-Way Trade Dynamics

Savannah is now witnessing a steady flow of goods in both directions. Exports from the U.S. to Vietnam include essential commodities like forest products, food, and cotton from Georgia, along with a variety of items such as hardware, resins, and retail consumer goods. On the flip side, imports feature a wide array of Vietnamese products, including apparel, footwear, furniture, electronics, and machinery. This reciprocal trading relationship signifies a robust economic partnership.

Direct Ocean Carrier Services

The Georgia Ports Authority offers nine direct ocean carrier services linking Savannah and Vietnam, allowing for efficient transit times of around 33 days from Vietnam to Savannah. One notable service is the Gemini collaboration between shipping giants Maersk and Hapag Lloyd. This service made Savannah its first port of call on the U.S. East Coast, further enhancing Savannah’s role in the global supply chain. The revised port rotation includes Haiphong, Ningbo, Shanghai, Lazaro Cardenas, Savannah, Charleston, New York, and Singapore, with an advertised transit time of 39 days from Haiphong to Savannah.

A Thriving Trade Landscape

In 2024, trade between the U.S. and Vietnam reached approximately $135 billion, establishing the U.S. as Vietnam’s second-largest trading partner after China. This figure illustrates the growing interdependence between the two nations and the potential for future economic collaboration.

Vietnam’s Electronics Hub

Vietnam’s role in global electronics production has also solidified. Notably, Samsung has invested over $23 billion in its Vietnamese manufacturing sites, which now contribute to more than half of the company’s global smartphone production. This investment underscores the strategic importance of Vietnam in the high-tech sector, potentially driving further trade growth through advanced electronics.

The Port of Savannah’s evolving role in U.S.-Vietnam commerce illustrates a broader trend of increasing interconnectedness in global trade. With favorable conditions on both sides, this partnership is poised to expand, creating new opportunities for businesses and strengthening economic ties between the U.S. and Vietnam.