CRANE IMPROVEMENTS - Three contracts totaling $1.7 million were awarded yesterday to further improve the Port of Charleston's container crane infrastructure. At North Charleston Terminal, Foundation Specialist of Moncks Corner, SC will strengthen the supports under a 480-foot section of the waterside crane rail. At the Wando Welch Terminal, Proformance Group of Greenville, SC will construct electrical facilities for the four new super-post-panamax cranes ordered last year. Also related to the new cranes, D.M. Spears Construction of Goose Creek, SC will install storm tie-downs and service platforms.
CITY PUBLIC HEARING - The City of Charleston will hold a public hearing on the Ports Authority's proposed new terminal on Daniel Island in Charleston Harbor on Thursday, February 10, at 7 p.m. in Gaillard Auditorium. The SPA owns 1,300 acres for future terminal development and has requested permits to construct 12,000 feet of berthing space, a 660-acre container storage yard, road/rail access and other associated projects. Completion of the first phase is scheduled for 2005-2006.
SUPPORT GROUPS FORM - Two citizens' groups have formed in the last few days to support the new port facility on Daniel Island. "The Alliance for Port Progress" is an umbrella group representing various maritime and transportation organizations. A group of business and community leaders with no direct ties to the maritime community has formed "The Port Works for Everyone." Co-chairs represent various sectors of the economy, including finance, insurance, food service, tourism and construction.
HARBOR DEEPENING - Wednesday, the S.C. House Ways and Means Subcommittee approved a recommendation for $14 million to continue Charleston Harbor Deepening. The $159 million project will deepen the entrance channel from 42 to 47 feet, and the inner harbor channels from 40 to 45 feet. More than $100 million in projects have been awarded and the work is well underway, as construction began earlier last year.
YARD MANAGEMENT - To continue pilot testing and implementation of the new Yard Management System (YMS), the Ports Authority's Board approved a contract continuation with Communications Technology for Business. YMS is a real-time, radio frequency-based inventory management system that tracks containers as they move through the port link. The new work will
cover completion of the pilot phase and implementation.
RECORD YEAR FOR CONTAINERS - Port of Charleston container volume hit another all-time high in 1999. A total of 1.48 million 20-foot equivalent units moved across Charleston piers last year, up 16% from 1.27 million TEUs 1998.
BY THE NUMBERS
January 2000 vs. January 1999
Charleston Pier TEUs - 129,043 (up 21%)
Charleston Pier Breakbulk Tons - 27,302 (down 34%)
Georgetown Pier Tons - 88,618 (up 30%)
Port Royal Pier Tons - 11,352 (down 74%)
Vessel Calls - 172 (down 2%)