Ships of the Sea host Molly Taylor interviews Griff Lynch, outgoing CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority, and Kevin Price, incoming CEO, about the scale, impact, and future of Georgia’s maritime industry and the Port of Savannah.

Lynch and Price discuss the Georgia Ports Authority’s role in supporting Georgia’s economy, including its network of coastal and inland terminals, $1.8 billion in annual economic impact, and support of more than 605,000 jobs. They explore the strategic investments that have helped Savannah become the nation’s third-largest container port and the largest single container terminal in the Western Hemisphere, as well as the importance of rail, trucking, distribution, manufacturing, and agriculture to the region’s supply chain.

The conversation also focuses on careers in the maritime industry and the many paths available beyond traditional port operations. Lynch and Price share their own unconventional career journeys, discuss the value of gaining experience across different jobs and departments, and highlight workforce development programs that give young people opportunities to build careers at the Port, including positions such as crane operators and other skilled roles.

Looking ahead, they discuss the next generation of infrastructure at the Port of Savannah, including the planned expansion of Ocean Terminal, the future container terminal on Hutchinson Island, continued rail and highway connectivity, and the potential for a second Savannah River deepening project. Lynch and Price also share what makes working at the Port rewarding, the importance of thoughtful long-term planning, and why Savannah’s maritime industry offers an exciting career path for young people.

The Ships of the Sea podcast is recorded on location at the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum, housed in the historic William Scarbrough House, an elegant example of early Greek Revival architecture in the South. Built in 1819 for William Scarbrough, a prominent shipping merchant and the first president of the Savannah Steamship Company, the museum showcases a remarkable collection of ship models, paintings, and maritime antiques. In addition to its exquisite interior, the museum features the largest private gardens within Savannah’s historic district, designed to reflect a typical 19th-century parlor garden.

CONNECT WITH US:

A look inside Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum

Museum EVENTS

Education and Group Programs

Meet the Production Team Dee Daniels Media

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST:

Griff Lynch CEO

Kevin Price President

Georgia Ports Authority

https://georgia.gov/organization/georgia-ports-authority

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Welcome to Ships of the Sea

00:38 What Georgia Ports Does

02:24 Savannah’s Strategic Advantage

03:11 Griff Lynch Role

04:18 Investing Billions Ahead

05:26 Kevin Price New CEO

07:19 Why the Long Transition

08:04 Ports Careers for Students

09:55 Griff Education Path

12:21 Kevin Career Switch

13:24 Virginia and Terminal Ops

14:13 Why Port Work Hooks You

15:14 Port Scorekeeping Culture

15:50 Leading Thoughtful Change

16:35 Next River Dredging Plans

18:39 Environmental Mitigation Costs

19:55 Life Working Waterfront

20:23 Rail Yard and Trains

22:22 Port Careers for Kids

25:30 Savannah Terminal Expansion

27:14 Passing the Torch

28:24 Museum Support and Wrap