Charleston, SC - The Port of Charleston celebrated another deepwater milestone today, welcoming the 300th post-Panamax ship to call the port.
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SC Ports Names Pruett VP, Carrier Sales
Charleston, SC - The South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA) has announced changes to its management team, promoting an accomplished sales manager to direct its carrier sales strategy.
Art Pruett is being promoted to Vice President, Carrier Sales. Pruett joined the SCSPA in July 2009 as General Manager, Cargo Sales, after holding various positions with Evergreen Shipping Agency (America) Corporation. Pruett has more than 25 years of experience in the industry.
In his new position, Pruett will lead all ocean carrier sales efforts for South Carolina’s public port system and will manage port representation in New Jersey, Japan, China and India. Pruett reports to Paul McClintock, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer.
Pruett replaces Sarah Gaillard, who is leaving the SCSPA later this month to pursue another opportunity in the shipping industry.
“Art’s experience on the ocean carrier side of the business and extensive knowledge of South Carolina’s seaport assets - chiefly deep water - make him the ideal person to lead our carrier sales strategy,” said SCSPA President and CEO Jim Newsome. “We wish Sarah Gaillard well in her new opportunity. She has been a tremendous asset for our port during her tenure here.”
“I am confident Art and his team will aggressively sell our ports to bring new liner services to Charleston and Georgetown,” said McClintock.
Regional cargo sales staff in Charleston, Atlanta and Charlotte will report to Vice President, Cargo Development Jack Ellenberg, who joins the SCSPA in January.
About the South Carolina State Ports Authority
The South Carolina State Ports Authority, established by the state's General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport facilities in Charleston and Georgetown, handling international commerce valued at nearly $45 billion annually while receiving no direct taxpayer subsidy. An economic development engine for the state, port operations facilitate 260,800 jobs across South Carolina and $44.8 billion in economic activity each year. For more information, visit www.scspa.com.
Ellenberg to Join South Carolina Ports as VP, Cargo Development
Charleston, SC - The South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA) has hired an accomplished industry recruiter to increase port-related business and development in the state.
Jack Ellenberg will join the SCSPA in January as Vice President, Cargo Development. He will be responsible for all cargo and new business development activities, including the location of new and expanded port-user businesses in the state, as well as the cargo sales group.
Ellenberg currently serves as Deputy Secretary for New Investment at the South Carolina Department of Commerce. He has worked on a number of major projects at the agency since 1997, including investments by BMW, Boeing, Robert Bosch, Honda, Michelin, Daimler, FujiFilm and General Electric. In all, Ellenberg has worked projects bringing $24 billion in new investment and 70,000 jobs to South Carolina.
“Increasing port volume is directly tied to attracting distribution centers and other hard assets to South Carolina,” said Jim Newsome, President & CEO of the SCSPA. “And Jack has a proven track record of business development and project management. We are delighted that he will join our team.”
Ellenberg was named Southern Business & Development’s “Person of the Year” for his work on Boeing’s new $750-million 787 Dreamliner assembly operation in the Charleston area, a project that was named Business Facilities’ “Deal of the Year.”
“I am happy that Jack has this opportunity, but even happier to know that his expertise will continue to be an asset for the state,” said Joe Taylor, South Carolina Secretary of Commerce. “This is the next logical step in Jack’s career of growing the South Carolina economy, and he will make a fine addition to the Ports Authority management and sales team. Jack’s dynamic sales approach will dovetail very nicely with Jim Newsome’s aggressive approach to grow the Port’s business. Until January, Jack remains fully committed to helping Commerce complete another banner year of investment and job recruitment for the state.”
In his new position, Ellenberg will focus on bringing port-dependent projects and cargo to the state and developing the area’s distribution center capacity. South Carolina has identified the distribution cluster as strategic to the state’s economic success. Already, more than 20 million square feet of distribution center space has been announced near Charleston’s deepwater port facilities.
He will report to Senior Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer Paul McClintock and oversee the cargo sales department, which includes sales managers in Charleston, Atlanta and Charlotte. “This new role for Jack will continue to leverage his talents in bringing business to South Carolina and our ports,” said McClintock. “He’ll sell our ports’ major advantages - including deep water, high performance, low cost and low risk - to site selectors, executives and other decision-makers.”
Ellenberg holds bachelors and masters degrees in history from Clemson University.
The South Carolina State Ports Authority, established by the state's General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport facilities in Charleston and Georgetown, handling international commerce valued at nearly $45 billion annually while receiving no direct taxpayer subsidy. An economic development engine for the state, port operations facilitate 260,800 jobs across South Carolina and $44.8 billion in economic activity each year. For more information, visit www.scspa.com.
SC Ports Maintains Strong Financial Ratings from S&P, Moody's
Charleston, SC - Two of the top credit reporting agencies have affirmed the South Carolina State Ports Authority's (SCSPA) solid financial position, citing strong financial management, high debt service coverage and competitive advantages relative to other ports in the region.
The ratings come as the SCSPA issues $165 million in new revenue bonds to fund several major projects included in its 10-year, $1.3-billion capital plan. This is the first bond issue for the organization in nearly 12 years.
"The Ports Authority's core mission as an economic driver for the state involves being financially self-sufficient," said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the SCSPA. "These ratings reaffirm that the financial industry has faith in the success of South Carolina's ports over the long term."
Standard & Poor's has assigned its A+ long-term underlying rating with a stable outlook on the SCSPA's series 2010 bonds while it affirmed the A+ rating on the SCSPA's existing series 1998 bonds. Specifically, the rating agency referenced the SCSPA's well-balanced cargo flow between imports and exports, diversity among its customers and solid regional position.
Moody's Investors Service has assigned an A1 rating with a stable outlook to the SCSPA's series 2010 bond issue and affirmed the A1 rating on outstanding series 1988 revenue bonds. Moody's cited the SCSPA's low debt levels and distinct competitive advantages, including Charleston's deep water, which makes the port well-positioned after the Panama Canal expansion is completed in 2014.
The SCSPA is issuing the new series of revenue bonds to fund nearly $78 million in new projects - including a new terminal operating system, new cruise terminal and major improvements to Columbus Street Terminal. The bonds also will reimburse the SCSPA $86 million in capital expenditures. The SCSPA plans to close on the bond issue in early December.
Port revenue bonds and the interest payable on them are an obligation of the SCSPA - not the state of South Carolina or taxpayers.
Cruise Passengers Support Local Historical Sites, Boost Area Economy
Charleston, SC - The six-star luxury cruise ship, Crystal Symphony, is in port today, with hundreds of guests supporting local historic and cultural attractions.
The Crystal Symphony and her 814 passengers arrived in Charleston this morning on a 19-night voyage from New York to Los Angeles?through the Panama Canal. The ship departs this evening around 11 pm, but not before her guests enjoy the city?s dining, shopping and attractions. In fact, nearly 400 cruisers are going on organized excursions around town, supporting historical and cultural sites in the local community, including:
This kind of spending is typical for kind of the broad and diverse contributions that cruise ships bring to the community. Since last Thursday, another 2,400 cruisers on port-of-call ships took excursions organized by local company Charleston Convention & Group Services, which has been in operation since 1986.
Many other guests explored the city on their own, shopping, eating and visiting local attractions with assistance from the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, which meets every ship inside the cruise terminal.
In addition to the port-of-call visits, the Carnival Fantasy sails from Charleston every five to seven days, contributing greatly and broadly to the area?s economy. Surveys detail that 37 percent of passengers stay in local hotels, 50 percent eat in local restaurants, 37 percent shop in local stores, and 39 percent visit local attractions and museums.
The local economy will get an estimated $37-million boost this year from cruises alone. With 89 cruise ships on the 2011 calendar, compared to 67 this year, the economic activity associated with cruise spending will likely increase.
The Crystal Symphony is also making stops in Philadelphia, Miami, Georgetown (Grand Cayman), Cartagena (Colombia), Caldera (Costa Rica) and Acapulco and Cabo San Lucas (Mexico).? Fares range from about $5,000 to $30,000 per person.
SCDOT Offers 100,000-lb. Permit for Shipping Containers
For more information on the permit, please visit SCDOT’s oversize/overweight permit office online.
Press Release from the South Carolina Department of Transportation:
Pilot program to permit heavier containers expanded and made permanent, improving competitiveness, enhancing efficiency and benefiting South Carolina industries.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), working with the South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA), has announced all international shipping containers with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) up to 100,000 pounds are eligible for permitting for transporting by truck in South Carolina. This new policy is effective on Monday, November 1, 2010.
The previous overweight permit allowed up to 90,000 pounds GVW for shipping containers. The new permit allowing the weight increase will improve the state’s competitiveness, enhance transportation efficiency and serve a number of key South Carolina industries. The decision was based on the results of a pilot program launched earlier in 2010 that allowed refrigerated containers up to 100,000 pounds to be permitted and shipped by truck. The pilot program was undertaken because neighboring states offered a greater permitting capability.
Transportation Secretary H.B. Limehouse Jr. said this decision is important to the economy of South Carolina. “Part of our job at SCDOT is to support economic development. Our highways, ports and rail systems are the infrastructure for economic development. We all work together to make South Carolina as competitive as we can in global markets,” said Limehouse.
SCSPA President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Newsome, reacting to the upgraded permitting decision said, “This is an extremely important development for our export cargo base, which has long been at a disadvantage. Secretary Limehouse and SCDOT have shown great leadership and foresight by improving our competitive capability in world markets,” said Newsome.
Business sectors benefiting from the new permit include those that export heavy products, such as forestry and agricultural industries. The expansion of the Panama Canal in 2014 will allow even larger cargo ships capable of carrying more than 8,000 containers to move goods from Asia to the Eastern seaboard of the United States. The upgraded container weight policy in South Carolina will put the Port of Charleston in a better position to compete for the significant increase in cargo moving through the Southeast.
New North Europe-Mexico Container Service Begins in Charleston
Charleston, SC - A new joint shipping service with coverage across North Europe and Mexico made its first U.S. stop in Charleston today with the call of the Box Voyager.
French carrier CMA CGM, in partnership with Chile-based CSAV, has launched its upgraded New Victory Bridge service, deploying five vessels of 3,000-TEU (20-foot equivalent unit) capacity on the weekly service.
The New Victory Bridge service, known to CSAV clients as the South Atlantic U.S. - Mexico Express (SAMEX) Service, boasts the shortest transit time between North Europe and the U.S. South Atlantic. Charleston is the first U.S. port inbound, providing South Carolina-based shippers access to key North Europe markets.
Foreign ports in the rotation include Le Havre, France; Antwerp, Belgium; Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Bremerhaven, Germany; and Veracruz and Altamira, Mexico. The service calls the Wando Welch Terminal.
About the South Carolina State Ports Authority: The South Carolina State Ports Authority, established by the state's General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport facilities in Charleston and Georgetown, handling international commerce valued at nearly $45 billion annually while receiving no direct taxpayer subsidy. An economic development engine for the state, port operations facilitate 260,800 jobs across South Carolina and $44.8 billion in economic activity each year. For more information, visit www.scspa.com.
Charleston Beats Estimates, Container Volume Up 18% in Quarter
Charleston, SC - The Port of Charleston posted its best quarter for container shipments since 2008, the South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA) reported at its regular monthly board meeting today.
Charleston container volume for July through September totaled 352,295 TEUs (20-foot equivalent container units), up 18 percent from the same period last year (299,531 TEUs), slightly above the previous quarter (351,923 TEUs) and ahead of plan by 5 percent.
Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the SCSPA, noted that two new Asia shipping services began in Charleston earlier this year, and a number of specific cargo development initiatives are paying dividends.
“Charleston’s back on track and this growth is very encouraging,” said Newsome. “Refrigerated cargo and agricultural products have shown solid growth, and Charleston’s reach is expanding. More than 20,000 companies across the U.S. now rely on the Port of Charleston to access overseas markets.”
Several major industry expansions in the state will generate new port business in the coming months, including BMW’s newest X3 assembly line and TBC/Tire Kingdom’s new 1.1 million square foot distribution center near the port. According to the South Carolina Department of Commerce, the state led the Southeast in job creation last year with more than 18,000 new jobs.
Meanwhile, Newsome said attention will continue to be placed on consumer spending, employment and capital investment here. “U.S. indicators are somewhat trailing the Asian economies, particularly China, which is posting considerably stronger growth, perhaps pointing to a de-coupling of these markets. We’re approaching the end of double-digit increases, but the longer-term outlook for this region and Charleston is very bright.”
About the South Carolina State Ports Authority
The South Carolina State Ports Authority, established by the state's General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport facilities in Charleston and Georgetown, handling international commerce valued at nearly $45 billion annually while receiving no direct taxpayer subsidy. An economic development engine for the state, port operations facilitate 260,800 jobs across South Carolina and $44.8 billion in economic activity each year. For more information, visit www.scspa.com.
Charleston Nets New Breakbulk Service
Charleston, SC - The Port of Charleston’s growing breakbulk business has attracted a new regular shipping service.
Liberty Global Logistics LLC, an American-flag ocean carrier specializing in general breakbulk and roll-on/roll-off cargo, has announced regular, monthly calls at the Port of Charleston’s Veterans Terminal. Liberty began calling Charleston on inducement in April and has had six ships dock at Veterans Terminal to date.
The new service makes calls across the Middle East on its regular rotation while offering customers the flexibility to sail additional routes based on demand. Liberty has deployed three, 6,100-car-unit vessels on the service, which makes its next Charleston stop in mid-October with the M/V Prestige New York.
“The Port of Charleston has proven experience and resources to handle any type of breakbulk or rolling stock,” said Mike Chapell, director of operations at Liberty Global Logistics. “The potential is great to grow Liberty’s core business here.”
“The Charleston maritime community is pleased to welcome Liberty Global Logistics’ regular monthly calls,” said Paul McClintock, senior vice president and chief commercial officer of the SCSPA. “South Carolina Ports is committed to growing this sector of our business, which brings good jobs to our waterfront.”
Regular ports of call on the Liberty service include Alexandria, Egypt; Salalah, Oman; Karachi, Pakistan; Mina Salman, Bahrain; Umm Qasr, Iraq; Ash Shuaiba, Kuwait; Aqaba, Jordan; Mersin, Turkey; and Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.
Shippers may contact the SCSPA’s Brad Stroble for additional information on Charleston’s breakbulk capabilities.
About the South Carolina State Ports Authority:
The South Carolina State Ports Authority, established by the state's General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport facilities in Charleston and Georgetown, handling international commerce valued at nearly $45 billion annually while receiving no direct taxpayer subsidy. An economic development engine for the state, port operations facilitate 260,800 jobs across South Carolina and $44.8 billion in economic activity each year. For more information, visit www.scspa.com.
Charleston Enhances Breakbulk Handling
Charleston, SC - The Port of Charleston's breakbulk-handling capabilities just got a big lift.
The barge-mounted Charleston Giant heavy-lift crane, already the largest floating crane in the Southeast, has increased its certified load capacity from 450 short tons (900,000 pounds) to 500 short tons (one million pounds).
The Charleston Giant, operated by Charleston Heavy Lift, LLC, was first commissioned in 2005 and has been instrumental in the movement of oversize and overweight cargo like turbines and generators, cranes and construction components.
"From the largest shipment to the smallest project, the Port of Charleston has the people, facilities, services and experience to handle any-size load," said Paul McClintock, senior vice president and chief commercial office at the South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA), which owns and operates the Port of Charleston and the Port of Georgetown.
The Port of Charleston offers four, rail-served terminals to handle diverse breakbulk and project cargo needs and has invested personnel and resources toward growing the non-container segment, establishing a full-time position devoted to non-container sales and marketing last year. The SCSPA Board also approved more than $20 million in improvements to Columbus Street Terminal that will be completed in April 2011.
In recent months, ocean carriers also have increased non-container service in the Port of Charleston. In April, Liberty Global Logistics began inducement calls to Charleston's Veterans Terminal serving Middle East ports.
In June, Rickmers-Linie announced regular, monthly calls in Charleston as part of its new NCS service, which calls Columbus Street Terminal primarily along with calls at Veterans Terminal. The NCS offers direct connections to ports in Japan, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela and Haiti. With four vessels deployed in the service, each with a lifting capacity of up to 120 tons, the carrier has the ability to serve other ports on inducement.
"South Carolina is aggressively growing its non-container cargo business, and these new services are evidence that the state's base is strong," McClintock said.