INEOS Grenadier picks Georgia Ports as a national gateway

Carmaker INEOS has chosen the Port of Brunswick, Georgia, to deliver its new Grenadier off-road SUV to markets across the U.S. Southeast.

“We are happy to welcome INEOS and the Grenadier to Georgia,” said Griff Lynch, president and CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority. “Brunswick’s central location and superior connectivity, combined with the ease of doing business in Georgia, make it the perfect gateway for the U.S. launch of this exciting new vehicle.”

Presently, 19 dealers across the country are slated to handle the high-end SUV, which INEOS describes as purpose-built for consumers who are passionate about off-roading. Southern U.S. sales locations include Atlanta, GA; Ft. Lauderdale and St. Petersburg, FL; Houston and Dallas, TX; and High Point, NC.

INEOS is a global chemical company with 36 businesses at 194 sites in 29 countries throughout the world. Its consumer brands also include INEOS Hygienics and British fashion label Belstaff. The Grenadier is the company’s first foray into auto manufacturing.

The company joins two dozen other auto manufacturers at Colonel’s Island. The 1,700-acre terminal provides immediate access to Interstate 95, and from there, I-10 and I-16.

“We have selected the Port of Brunswick as our strategic gateway to the East Coast to cover customer volume along the major cities across the region. Brunswick represents our tactical and geographical preferred location to cover our sales distribution network,” said Gabriel Pernia, planning and logistics director at INEOS Automotive Americas. “The port provides an extensive capacity for vehicle storage, processing and maritime cargo which helps to minimize total transit time and improve customer order deliveries.”

Assembled in France, the vehicles will be shipped from Belgium to global markets including the U.S., Australia, Europe and South Africa. Starting in the first quarter of 2024, INEOS plans to enter the Canadian market and, by midyear, Mexico. Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics is handling freight forwarding for INEOS.

GPA is expanding capacity to serve growing Ro/Ro cargo volumes by investing $260 million in Colonel’s Island at the Port of Brunswick, developing 640,000 square feet of new processing space and 122 acres of additional auto storage.

“At Georgia Ports, we are committed to building the best gateways for U.S. supply chains, including those of our Roll-on/Roll-off customers,” Lynch said. He noted the size of Colonel’s Island Terminal allows on-site auto processing, for services such as accessory installation.

The nation’s second busiest hub for Ro/Ro cargo, the Port of Brunswick recently received federal approval to add a fourth berth at Colonel’s Island. The project will more efficiently accommodate larger vessels with a capacity of 7,000-plus vehicles that are becoming the industry standard at U.S. gateways.