New Jersey has long been the default East Coast fulfillment hub. But with the Georgia Ports Authority's $4.5 billion expansion, a deepened 47-foot harbor, and explosive growth in non-China sourcing lanes, Savannah is no longer the alternative.

 Aerial view of Komar Distribution Services' sustainably focused 760,000 sq ft Savannah distribution center near Port of Savannah 

The question of why ship through Savannah - rather than the traditional Northeast corridor - comes down to reliability, cost control, and future-proof infrastructure for D2C, apparel, and consumer goods brands.

Proximity used to win. Reliability wins now.

For decades, proximity to the Northeast consumer market made New Jersey the default. That proximity now comes with escalating hidden costs: multi-day anchorage waits, chronic chassis shortages, higher labor and real estate expenses, and greater exposure to detention and demurrage.

Savannah solves these pain points while still reaching 70% of the U.S. population within two days via Interstate 95 and Interstate 16. The port's rapid infrastructure investment and strategic position for diversified global sourcing make it the more resilient, lower-risk choice for scaling East Coast operations.

A single congested week in the Northeast can easily add thousands of dollars per container. Savannah's operational reliability keeps containers moving and costs predictable.

How the ports compare

Comparative figures reflect published port performance data and KDS operating benchmarks. Ask your KDS representative for a lane-specific comparison.

Port performance: Savannah vs. New York/New Jersey

Factor	New York / New Jersey	Savannah	KDS advantage
Standard free time	4 days	5 days	N/A
2026 anchorage wait	2 to 5 days	Minimal	N/A
Chassis availability	Frequent shortages	Stronger supply	Owned fleet control
Detention/demurrage exposure	Higher, congestion-driven	Significantly lower	Owned drayage minimizes fees
Drayage control	Mostly brokered	Owned fleet: 80+ trucks, 300 chassis	Tight cost and visibility control
Total distribution cost	Higher: labor, land, fees	12 to 18%+ lower	Compounding savings

Built for where sourcing has moved

Apparel and consumer goods brands continue shifting away from China toward India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, Egypt, Jordan, and Sri Lanka. Savannah is already wired for these lanes - not playing catch-up.

• Multiple weekly direct services to India and the Indian Subcontinent
• Egypt imports up 30.3% year over year
• Jordan imports up 21.6% year over year
• Strong parallel growth from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Bangladesh

Our Savannah fulfillment center

KDS's company-owned, sustainably focused, climate-controlled 760,000 sq ft Class A distribution center sits just 24 miles from the Port of Savannah and 2.5 miles from the Hyundai Metaplant. Purpose-built for modern ecommerce and omnichannel brands, backed by the FTZ Savannah designation for duty deferral advantages.

 Interior of Komar Distribution Services, Savannah fulfillment center

Key capabilities

• 55,000 pallet positions with scalable storage
• 132 cross dock doors
• Pick and pack, kitting, Garment on Hanger (GOH), transloading, and value-added services
• B2B and D2C brand-building capabilities
• 99.98% on-time shipping, 99.95% inventory accuracy, 99.93% operational compliance
• Fulfilled by Amazon and Seller Fulfilled Prime support

• Manhattan WMS with real-time visibility and 75+ marketplace integrations
• KDS Customer Success Portal: real-time inventory availability and performance/compliance tracking

Sustainability leadership

The facility features a 2.5 MW solar array - one of Georgia's largest at an industrial site - alongside a strong focus on sustainable compliant design and energy efficiency. This delivers measurable carbon reduction and appeals directly to brands with ESG mandates.

The KDS advantage: technology, owned assets, and sustainability

What truly sets KDS apart is vertical integration and operational control - the same supply chain mastery that built Komar's own global brands now powers our 3PL clients.

Owned drayage fleet

Via Savannah Logistics Services:

• 80+ tractors and 300 chassis under direct KDS control
• 24/7 precision-timed pickups that minimize demurrage and per diem exposure
• Real-time chassis tracking and visibility on every move
• Far greater cost control than 3PLs reliant on third-party brokered drayage

Technology and brand-building infrastructure

• Exotec Skypod automation early 2027, for scalability and cost effectiveness
• Manhattan WMS for on-time and inventory accuracy
• Predictive and consultative analytics on freight spend, parcel rates, and inventory
• Dedicated customer success managers with real-time, shared Client Success KPI portals
• Multi-node network (Savannah + Oklahoma + California) for optimized small parcel routing

A coast-to-coast network

The true total cost comparison

Savannah wins on multiple cost layers at once - and the advantage compounds over time. Even brands with heavy New York metro concentration typically find the total cost advantage outweighs any added transit time.

Total distribution cost comparison

Cost driver	NY/NJ	Savannah	Net impact
Industrial real estate	$14 to $20 per sq ft	$12 to $16 per sq ft	Lower storage cost
Warehouse labor	Higher	Lower; automation reduces headcount	Significant savings
Inventory carrying cost	Standard density	30% greater density via Exotec	Lower per-unit storage cost
Drayage and demurrage	High exposure	Owned fleet, better port flow	Major savings
FTZ benefits	Available	Available, plus lower base costs	Compounding
Total distribution cost	Baseline	12 to 18%+ lower	Clear winner

Key takeaways

Frequently asked questions

Why are brands moving fulfillment from New Jersey to Savannah?

Northeast fulfillment now carries escalating hidden costs, including multi-day anchorage waits, chassis shortages, and higher labor and real estate expenses. Savannah offers stronger port reliability, lower total distribution cost, and still reaches 70% of the U.S. population within two days via Interstate 95 and Interstate 16.

How much can a brand save by switching to a 3PL in Savannah, GA?

Brands typically see 12 to 18%+ lower total distribution cost compared to the Northeast, before factoring in the throughput and density gains from KDS's incoming Exotec Skypod automation. Savings on drayage alone often run $500 to $800 per container.

Is the Port of Savannah's capacity comparable to New York/New Jersey?

Savannah is the 4th busiest container port in the U.S. and grew faster than NY/NJ in 2025 at 12.5%. Backed by the Georgia Ports Authority's $4.5 billion expansion and a deepened 47-foot harbor, Savannah offers standard free time of 5 days versus 4 in NY/NJ, along with minimal anchorage waits.

What sourcing regions is Savannah best positioned for?

Savannah is well connected for the sourcing shift away from China, with multiple weekly direct services to India and the Indian Subcontinent and strong growth from Egypt, Jordan, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Bangladesh.

Does KDS handle drayage in house?

Yes. Through the Savannah Logistics Services acquisition, KDS operates an owned fleet of 80+ tractors and 300 chassis, controlling chassis days and ensuring reliable on-time pickup - reducing demurrage and per diem exposure compared to brokered drayage.

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