CHARLESTON, SC - May 18, 2016 - Today South Carolina Ports Authority reported a 2.8 percent increase in twenty foot-equivalent unit (TEU) volume fiscal year to date, handling 1.6 million TEUs since July 2015.
SCPA moved 157,959 TEUs in April, bringing SCPA's calendar year-to-date container volume to 631,753 TEUs.
As measured in pier containers, or total box volume, SCPA handled 89,326 containers last month. Since the fiscal year began in July, SCPA has moved 907,259 containers across the docks of its Wando Welch and North Charleston container terminals.
"April loaded container volumes were slightly below last year, a trend we're seeing consistently in the reported volumes across the major East Coast ports," said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO. "This trend is reflective of the fact that the overall container trade is tepid. Empty container volumes are lagging compared to levels we experienced last year, but we look for empty flows to improve in the next few months as containers will be needed overseas to originate shipments. We expect May to be the strongest month thus far this year and will see benefits in the next few months from the upsizing of vessels in response to the Panama Canal expansion. Container lines will soon need to deploy 8,000 TEU ships and above to ports with the right mix of attributes to handle those vessels."
Non-containerized cargo volume at the Port of Charleston was strong in April, with 74,915 pier tons handled. Charleston's breakbulk volume is 32 percent ahead of plans for the fiscal year, with 746,460 tons moved from July through April.
Inland Port Greer handled 8,182 rail moves in last month. The facility has handled 75,214 lifts since July, bringing fiscal year-to-date moves 54 percent higher than the same period last year.
Board Action
The Board approved construction and quality assurance contracts for surface improvements of the Columbus Street Terminal, SCPA's state of the art breakbulk and rolling stock facility. Two additional contracts for projects at SCPA's container terminals, including annual maintenance dredging at the North Charleston Terminal and a terminal planning study for the Wando Welch Terminal, were also approved.
The Board authorized improvements to SCPA's existing dredged material containment area on Daniel Island in preparation for dredging during the construction of the Hugh Leatherman Terminal, as well as maintenance work at the Clouter Creek dredged material containment area.
SOLAS Weight Requirements
SCPA is finalizing a solution to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations whereby it will provide the long-utilized terminal scale weights from certified scales as verified gross mass (VGM) directly to shipping lines as contemplated in the Coast Guard Declaration of Equivalency issued on April 29. The Port will withdraw its proposed $25 fee for direct provision of weights to shippers, as this charge will no longer be necessary.
"This has been a long-accepted best practice in our port that has allowed the safe loading of vessels, and it should be continued in the overall interest of safety and efficiency," Newsome said.
About South Carolina Ports Authority
South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA), established by the state's General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport facilities in Charleston, Georgetown and Greer, handling international commerce valued at more than $63 billion annually while receiving no direct taxpayer subsidy. An economic development engine for the state, Port operations facilitate 187,200 statewide jobs and generate nearly $53 billion annual economic activity. Home to the Southeast's deepest port, SCPA is the industry leader in delivering speed-to-market, seamless processes and flexibility to ensure reliable operations, big ship handling, efficient market reach and environmental responsibility. For more information on SCPA, please visit www.scspa.com.