Charleston, SC - Nine private shipping companies and terminal operators are part of three proposals submitted to the South Carolina State Ports Authority asking to participate in the development of a new three-berth, 280-acre container terminal in Charleston on the former Naval Complex.
The proposals will be evaluated based on how they serve the Ports Authority's mission and South Carolina's interests. In the course of the evaluation, major considerations will be the commitment to South Carolina, the length of the offer, the cargo volume projection and the financial terms. Any necessary follow-up discussions with the firms will be initiated within the next two months.
After evaluating and clarifying the proposals, the Ports Authority will enter into further discussions to negotiate a contract with the firm or firms offering the most favorable proposals. Due to the competitive nature of the business proposals and the pending contract negotiations, the names of the firms and their offerings will not be disclosed.
The Corps of Engineers expects a decision on permits for the Charleston expansion project by August 2006. Construction of the first phase should be completed by the end of 2011. The terminal is projected to handle 1.38 million TEU (20-foot equivalent units).
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