According to the US Journal of Commerce, an 11 year expansion project by the Georgia Ports Authority that would deepen ports in Georgia could come to a standstill if South Carolina exercises its right to veto work on the border between the two states-the Savannah River. Politicians in South Carolina are reportedly planning to mount efforts to block the project on environmental grounds.
The Savannah River leading into Georgia is the US' fourth-largest container port, but will need a deeper channel to maintain its position. In the first 11 months of 2010, container volumes were up 12.5 percent, while container volume on Georgia ports rose 14.7 percent over the same period.