News Entries Archive - Page 28 of 73

SC Ports Authority Welcomes 8,500 TEU Vessel Via Newly-Expanded Panama Canal

Charleston, SC - July 14, 2016 - Today South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) welcomed the Hannover Bridge, first post-Panamax size vessel to call Charleston after transiting the newly-opened Panama Canal expansion.

"SCPA is already benefiting from the upsizing of vessels in response to the expansion, with 16 of the 26 weekly container vessel calls in Charleston now being served by large ships formerly known as post-Panamax," said SCPA president and CEO Jim Newsome. "The arrival of the first 8,500-class vessel to pass through the newly-expanded Panama Canal locks bound for Charleston is a milestone for our port and maritime industry. We look forward to seeing this larger class of vessels more frequently in our harbor, which offers the depth and capacity required to serve the biggest ships deployed to the Southeast."

The Hannover Bridge, an 8,200 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) "K" Line vessel, calls Charleston as part of the CKYHE Alliance's weekly All Water East Coast Loop 3 Service (AWE3) that connects the Southeast with China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea.

On the heels of larger vessel deployment and the opening of the Panama Canal expansion, SCPA expects to handle its first 14,000 TEU vessel call later this year. Charleston is currently the deepest harbor in the Southeast, routinely handling ships over 1,100 feet long and 150 feet wide with drafts up to 48 feet.

When the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project to 52 feet is completed, Charleston will offer the deepest harbor on the East Coast. Beyond harbor deepening, SCPA has a 10-year, $1.3 billion capital expenditure plan that includes the construction of a new container terminal, the Leatherman Terminal, and the modernization of existing facilities and technology.

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. In 2015 SCPA handled international commerce valued at more than $74 billion 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.

South Carolina Ports Authority President & CEO Named Person of the Year

Charleston, SC - July 7, 2016 - The Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC) recently named Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO, the first Person of the Year award recipient in the Coalition's 28-year history.

"Never has an individual so distinguished himself in a manner that will have such a positive impact on all participants in ocean shipping, shippers, carriers, ports and terminals," said Peter Friedmann, Executive Director, AgTC. "We applaud Jim Newsome for his pivotal, groundbreaking leadership to find a solution to the SOLAS container weight threat."

Newsome received the award at the AgTC Annual Meeting, a gathering of agriculture and forest products transportation professionals, for pioneering a solution to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requirements by using existing equipment and procedures at SCPA to verify the weight of containers.

"It is a great honor to receive this award from such an important group of U.S. exporters," Newsome said.

Newsome was the first leader in the United States to step forward with a solution to the SOLAS requirements that were implemented on July 1, 2016.

Peter Friedmann (left) announces Jim Newsome as the AgTC Person of the Year.

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. In 2015 SCPA handled international commerce valued at more than $74 billion 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.

Media Advisory: Statement from SCPA on the Wando Welch Terminal AGS Implementation

The following is an update on the Wando Welch Terminal:

(1) On Wednesday, we handled 3901 gate transactions which is pretty close to that normally expected in this terminal. This was done with gate hours between 6 am and 9 pm, three hours more than normal, and this was certainly not at normally expected turn times. The software supplier implemented a program enhancement last night to address a concern that we had.

(2) We were moving along at a similar pace today until 1 pm, when the system had to be reset due to a technology issue. This issue was related to the software installed last night. The outage lasted slightly more than one hour. In one hour at this time of the day, we should handle in excess of 400 trucks and there is not enough queuing space so the truck traffic quickly backs up. We have received great cooperation from the Mt. Pleasant Police Department during this time and we respect the decision of the town of Mt. Pleasant to meter traffic into the terminal until they can assure we are back at regular operations. Trucks are now returning on a regular basis to the terminal and being processed in the system.

(3) We will remain open tonight until 9 pm as of now. One issue is that truckers have hours of service limitations and in many cases they normally work from 6 am to 6 pm and are 'timed out' after that. We are coordinating with the truckers who have company trucks to see if we can manage around the hours of service, especially with regard to the container rail moves.

(4) We are currently programmed for 6 am to 6 pm gate hours tomorrow but will review that later today. Saturday, we will be open from 6 am to 4 pm and we will need to make a call on Sunday. Hours of service restrictions also come into play there as truckers have a 34 hour restart every week which they normally can cover by not working Sunday.

(5) As of this writing, trucks are returning to our terminal and we are hoping for a productive four hours to end the day and a good start tomorrow morning.

SC Ports Authority's SOLAS Approach at Port of Charleston

CHARLESTON, SC - June 21, 2016 - Today the South Carolina Ports Authority filed a rule in its Marine Terminal Operating Schedule (MTOS) outlining its process for adherence to the IMO regulations regarding Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Regulation VI/2. This approach is consistent with the U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Information Safety Bulletin dated April 28, 2016 on this topic, which outlined that existing procedures to comply with U.S. terminal safety regulations could be used to comply with this important regulation. This provision allows the Port of Charleston to provide Verified Gross Mass (VGM) data directly to ocean carriers via EDI 322 messages as today and provides that shippers using the Port of Charleston authorize this practice, unless they make other arrangements with their ocean carrier.

All export containers will be weighed on calibrated and certified truck scales upon arrival at the Port of Charleston.The weight of the truck tractor, chassis,and other ancillary equipment such as gen sets will be subtracted from the gross weight, yielding the gross weight of the container and cargo.This gross weight will be provided to the respective ocean carrier as the VGM via EDI 322 message,and will be made available to the stevedores stowing cargo in the port on a real time basis, so that ships can be efficiently and safely stowed. Shippers can also provide their separately developed VGM to the ocean carrier on mutual arrangement with that ocean carrier.

"The Declaration of Equivalency for SOLAS Regulation VI/2 by the U.S. Coast Guard on April 28, 2016 provided an important breakthrough in allowing SCPA to maintain what has clearly been a best practice for over 20 years in safely and efficiently loading ships at the Port of Charleston. We applaud Admiral Paul Thomas and the Coast Guard for this decisive step. It means that cargo can continue to move via our port without disruption,"said Jim Newsome, SCPA President and CEO."We are also grateful for the Federal Maritime Commission's support of this streamlined method of compliance. It never made sense to us to transmit weight data via multiple parties or gather weights in a disaggregated way when the goal of this regulation is to soundly determine container gross weights and safely load ships."

The MTOS provision and a list of frequently asked questions can be found here. The effective date of this provision is July 1, 2016. This practice also comports with the IMO Maritime Safety Committee Circular 1475 Implementation Guidelines at Paragraph 9.2 which states that the terminal derived VGM will be used in the event there is a conflict with a shipper provided VGM.

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.

Media Advisory: Advanced Gate System at Wando Welch Terminal

CHARLESTON, SC - June 20, 2016 - The South Carolina Ports Authority began full implementation of its Advanced Gate System on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at the Wando Welch Terminal. Although we have had internal and external training in effect since June 6th, it always takes time to get everybody acquainted with the new processes when a major system is being installed. Today is the first day at full capacity so we are experiencing delays in truck processing but we are working through the issues as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience during this time.

Our new Advanced Gate System is designed to deliver faster truck turn times, more robust and more transparent information flow, improved mission flexibility, and enhanced management tools and reports.

Six Percent Container Growth, $248 Million in Capital Expenditures Projected for SC Ports

CHARLESTON, SC - June 14, 2016 - Today the South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) Board of Directors adopted a financial plan for the 2017 fiscal year that includes six percent pier container growth, $226.1 million operating revenues, $40.8 million operating earnings, and capital expenditures of $248 million.

The plan projects pier containers, or box volume, of 1.175 million during FY2017, a six percent increase from the 1.105 million boxes SCPA is expected to handle during its current fiscal year. Strong growth at Inland Port Greer is also planned, with rail moves expected to increase 23 percent over FY2016 projected totals.

Planned operating revenues of $226.1 million for FY2017 reflect a 7 percent increase above the current fiscal year, which are expected to reach $211.8 million when the period ends June 30.

"The FY2017 plan reflects continued success of our state port system," said SCPA Board Chairman Pat McKinney. "The year ahead is an exciting time for our port and state, with construction on our harbor deepening project to 52 feet to begin, as well as significant progress on the Leatherman Terminal and other improvements to existing terminals expected. We are well-positioned to meet the evolving landscape of the U.S. port industry."

The Board approved the highest capital plan in the SCPA's history, with expenditures projected $82.4 million higher than FY2016. SCPA will invest $93.7 million in site development and related expenses for construction of the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal, expected to open in late 2019. Other primary capital expenditures planned include $78.9 million in upgrades to the Wando Welch Terminal, $16 million in surface improvements to the Columbus Street Terminal and $5.1 million for the development of a second inland port in Dillon, South Carolina.

"Our volumes this fiscal year have flattened when compared to FY2015, and although we expect growth to continue to keep pace above the U.S. port market average, the plan for FY2017 reflects modest increases in pier container volumes," said SCPA president and CEO Jim Newsome. "We currently handle 11 weekly post-Panamax vessel calls and expect FY2017 to be marked by an increased frequency of big ship calls once the Panama Canal expansion opens and multiple services upgrade the size of vessels deployed to Charleston."

May Volume Results
SCPA reported a 2.3 percent increase in twenty foot-equivalent unit (TEU) volume fiscal year to date, handling 1.79 million TEUs between July and May. SCPA moved 177,865 TEUs last month.

As measured in pier containers, or total box volume, SCPA handled 100,774 containers in May. Since the fiscal year began in July, SCPA has moved over one million containers across the docks of its Wando Welch and North Charleston container terminals.

Non-containerized cargo volume at the Port of Charleston was strong in May, with 85,413 pier tons handled. Charleston's breakbulk volume is nearly 34 percent ahead of planned levels, with 831,872 tons moved fiscal year to date.

May rail volume was strong at Inland Port Greer, where 8,620 rail moves were handled last month. Fiscal year-to-date rail moves are 62.3 percent above planned levels, with 83,834 lifts since July.

Community Giving Grant Program
The application period for the Port's non-profit grant program, Community Giving, opened this month with opportunities for charitable organizations to apply for $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000 grants. Grants are available in four outreach areas: maritime commerce, economic development, environmental awareness and community outreach.

Community Giving was created in 2013 to support programs and initiatives that better the communities where the port operates. Applications are available on the port's website, www.scspa.com, and are due August 1.

About South Carolina Ports Authority

Container Volume Up Three Percent at South Carolina Ports

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.

South Carolina Ports Authority's Position on SOLAS Weight Requirements

CHARLESTON, SC - May 5, 2016 - Last week the U.S. Coast Guard announced its approval for U.S. ports to verify the weight of containers on behalf of the shipper to comply with the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations, and South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) will provide this weight to the shipper or exporter.

"It has been our position all along that we have employed a best practice in safely loading ships in our port for the last 20 years due to our weighing of all export containers," said Jim Newsome, SCPA President and CEO. "We applaud the Coast Guard for recognizing this in its recent Declaration of Equivalency to the International Maritime Organization on the SOLAS regulations."

For many years, SCPA has weighed every export container received at its terminals on calibrated scales consistent with requirements in OSHA regulation 1918.95 (b) (3). SCPA will assist its export shipper customers and the container shipping lines in complying with their obligations under the SOLAS regulations regarding verified gross mass (VGM) of containers effective July 1, 2016.

All scales used to weigh export containers at SCPA's North Charleston and Wando Welch terminals will be certified annually by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, the competent certification authority in the State of South Carolina. The Port's current scales were certified in January, 2016.

Upon receipt of a timely request from an export shipper, the Port will provide to the shipper the estimated gross weight of the container and cargo derived in the following way:

Gross weight of tractor (including estimate of fuel weight), container, chassis,and cargo will be determined by weighing the entire unit on the scale.
Deduction will be made for weight of tractor and fuel as provided by the truck driver to the interchange clerk along with the posted tare weight of the chassis.
After these deductions, the gross weight of the container and cargo so derived will be provided to the shipper. This is the same weight that will be provided directly to the shipping line.
While this approach conforms with the methodology outlined by the IMO Maritime Safety Committee in its "Guidelines Regarding the Verified Gross Mass of a Container Carrying Cargo" published June 9, 2014, in providing this weight, SCPA does not certify its accuracy. Rather, it makes its best efforts to ensure the provision of an accurate weight using the methodology above.
It is the clear responsibility of the shipper to provide the required weight certification to the shipping line as specified in the SOLAS regulations.
The export shipper shall pay a fee of $25 per container weighed. Billing and payment arrangements must be made prior to the provision of such services.
The methodology for providing this weighing service is specifically detailed below.

On April 29, the United States Coast Guard declared an Equivalency to Regulation VI/2 of the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). SCPA commends this important step, the upshot of which recognizes the well-established practice in our port of weighing all export containers consistent with 29 CFR 1918.85 (b) to determine an accurate container and cargo gross weight.

SCPA believes that this gives OCEMA container carrier members using our port a third method to comply with the SOLAS regulations. It provides the benefit of incorporating a tried and true "best practice" for safely handling containers on terminals and loading ships in ports that can provide this service. The Port is willing to collaborate with our ocean carrier customers to achieve such a mutually beneficial solution.

SCPA will utilize the following YMS Weighing Process for Loaded Export Containers:

The Motor Carrier enters the perimeter security gate.
The Motor Carrier arrives at the Inbound Interchange.
The Tractor, Chassis, Container (and contents), and any accessories (i.e. genset) are weighed to establish the gross weight.
The computer system, automatically subtracts the tare weight of the container, chassis, and then the estimated weight of the genset and tractor.
At that this point, the estimated cargo weight is calculated.
Depending of the Ocean Carriers' request, SCPA will EDI either the content weight or the gross weight of the loaded container.
Also, SCPA will share the requested weights with the stevedores electronically Container Gross Weight.

SCPA Container Volume Climbs Nearly Four Percent

GAFFNEY, SC - April 20, 2016 -?Today South Carolina Ports Authority reported a 3.8 percent increase in twenty foot-equivalent unit (TEU) volume fiscal year to date, with 1.45 million TEUs handled since the period began in July.

March was a solid finish to the third quarter of fiscal year 2016, with 170,740 TEUs moved last month. From a calendar year to date perspective, year-over-year container volume was fairly flat through March, with 473,794 TEUs handled.

As measured in pier containers, or total box volume, SCPA handled 96,123 containers in March. Fiscal year to date, SCPA has moved 817,933 containers across the docks of its Wando Welch and North Charleston container terminals.

"March volumes reflect the modest uptick we expected going into the spring, which is traditionally a seasonally strong time for SCPA," said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO.

Charleston's non-containerized freight volumes through March exceeded fiscal year plans by 32 percent. Charleston moved 80,891 tons last month, with 671,545 pier tons handled fiscal year to date.

Vehicles remain a strong segment within the breakbulk business segment, and SCPA handled 25,839 vehicles in March. Fiscal year to date, finished vehicle volume is up 13 percent compared to the previous year.

Inland Port Greer handled 8,821 rail moves in March, achieving consecutive months of record-breaking volume. Fiscal year to date moves are up 66 percent, with 67,032 lifts since July.

Board Action

The Board adopted a resolution directing SCPA to move forward with a contract for the sale of its main office at 176 Concord Street in Charleston. SCPA accepted bids for the property from February 1 through April 15. Pending receipt of the additional earnest money required by the buyer, a 120-day due diligence period will begin. Details about the property and sales process are available at www.176concordstreet.com.

Local Students Name Inland Port Greer Cranes

Two Greer elementary students earned $500 from SCPA for their schools, thanks to their winning entries in a Port contest to name cranes at the Inland Port Greer.

The Port partnered with five elementary schools, including Buena Vista, Chandler Creek, Crestview, Skyland and Woodland, for the contest during the month of February. Third through fifth grade students submitted names for two rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGs), which move loaded containers on and off trains, trucks and throughout the container yard. Over 140 student entries were received.

A team of SCPA employees selected the following two entries, which have been painted onto the RTG cranes: Cranefu Panda, submitted by Crestview Elementary School third grade student Emily Salvato, and Carolina Crane, submitted by Chandler Creek Elementary School fifth grader Abigail Stefanacci.

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.

SC Ports Authority Announces Plans for Second Inland Port Facility

GREER, SC -- April 20, 2016 -- Today South Carolina Ports Authority announced plans to pursue a second inland port facility, driven by tremendous success of Inland Port Greer and demand for enhanced efficiency of international container movements between the Port of Charleston and growing markets in South Carolina and North Carolina.

"Inland Port Greer is one of SCPA's most successful investments, as the growth of intermodal container volume movement in our state and region requires appropriate facilities in the interior to ground loaded and empty containers and to leverage the efficiency and sustainability of rail transportation," SCPA president and CEO Jim Newsome said. "If it is feasible, an additional inland port will be a great diversification of our logistics footprint. We believe that building intermodal infrastructure in our state goes hand-in-hand with the significant investments we are making to our port facilities in Charleston. This is an exciting opportunity for SCPA."

Approximately 23 percent of containers imported or exported through Charleston last year moved by rail, with nearly 260,000 international intermodal rail lifts handled in 2015. Intermodal volume has seen staggering growth of 166 percent since 2011, driving increased demand for additional inland port facilities.
"While our discussions are preliminary, the success of Inland Port Greer demonstrates the market demand for additional intermodal hubs to support growing volumes of cargo moving to and from Charleston by rail," Newsome said. "We are working with CSX to determine the viability of Dillon, South Carolina as the location for our next inland port and hope to finalize our plans by the end of the year."

The Dillon site under SCPA consideration offers access to an existing CSX mainline, which opens a different intermodal marketplace from Inland Port Greer and provides access to Southeastern markets as well as the Midwest. Proximity to I-95, a critical transportation artery in the Southeast, is an important benefit of the location as well as current port users in the area, which represent significant base cargo opportunities for the facility.

"A second inland port in South Carolina would expand transportation options in the state, lowering shipping costs for South Carolina businesses and improving competitiveness," said Dean Piacente, CSX Vice President, Intermodal. "This project would also generate substantial public benefits by creating jobs, spurring economic development and reducing traffic congestion on I-26 and I-95."

The facility design and footprint, costs, and construction timeline are being studied by Hamburg Port Consultants (HPC). SCPA is pursuing federal infrastructure funding assistance through the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program to supplement the capital investment required for the project.

"According to a recent economic impact study, port-related jobs pay 40 percent higher than the statewide average," said T.F. Finklea, Dillon County Council Chairman. "We are excited about the possibility for Dillon to be the site of the next Inland Port and look forward to partnering with the South Carolina Ports Authority to help make this a reality. Today is a great day for Dillon and our region."

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