• TPM23
  • February 26 – March 1, 2023 | Long Beach Convention Center
  • Register Now

Griffith V. Lynch

Georgia Ports Authority

Executive Director

Griffith V. Lynch is the Executive Director of the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), an 1,100- person strong state port authority that owns and operates strategic gateways

serving the U.S. Southeast.

As Executive Director, Lynch oversees all port activity involving the deepwater ports of Savannah and Brunswick, as well as inland terminal operations. Directing one of

Georgia’s largest economic engines, he administers a $380 million annual budget.

Before becoming executive director, Lynch served as GPA chief operating officer for five years. As COO of the single largest container terminal in North America and second

busiest U.S. auto port, he was responsible for sustaining the profitable growth and development of all operations and maintaining world-class operating standards.

A proven leader in the maritime industry, Lynch brings 29 years of experience in the design and implementation of major port expansions, the effective execution of

sustainable profit and productivity models and identifying winning sales and marketing strategies.

Sessions With Griffith V. Lynch

Tuesday, 28 February

  • 03:15pm - 04:00pm (PST) / 28/feb/2023 11:15 pm - 01/mar/2023 12:00 am

    How to Improve Container Flow Through Terminals

    If the pandemic experience taught us anything about supply chains, it's the urgency of maintaining container flow through ports and terminals. The logic is simple: Too many containers — loaded or empty — sitting on terminal grounds slows productivity at the berth and the gate. As data clearly showed, lower productivity results in ships remaining at berth for longer, forcing incoming ships — and all of their cargo — to wait at anchor. Transit times, lead times, and inventory-carrying costs all increase as a direct result, while shippers' revenue and responsiveness to customer demands go down. Many factors work against flow: empties not being removed quickly, excessive free time within service contracts, and shippers and truckers' slow transition to 24/7 operations, to mention but a few. Unprecedented pressure obviously was placed on the system beginning in late 2020, but future shocks are a certainty, and lessons need to be learned. This session will address what steps need to be taken to ensure consistent flow going forward.