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Charleston, SC - Two new container cranes arrived in the Port of Charleston on Sunday afternoon, representing the crown jewels in a $47-million, six-year terminal improvement project at the Columbus Street Terminal.

The new cranes cost $6 million apiece and weigh more than 1,200 tons each.? When boomed up, they rise 360 feet in the air and will reach out 197 feet from the edge of the dock.

Over the coming months, the cranes will be tested and placed into service on a new container berth at Columbus Street, Charleston's smallest container terminal.? The 1,000-foot berth was created by demolishing an old warehouse and improving the wharf area.? Other work in recent years at Columbus Street included improving storage, new container stacking cranes in the yard, dredging and?revamped terminal infrastructure.? Columbus Street is the Port's closest terminal to the open ocean, featuring unobstructed navigational access and 45-foot channels.

The new cranes are designed to lift containers to and from ships that are too wide for the Panama Canal, featuring an outreach of 22 containers across the deck of ships.? Currently, the largest ships in the world have 17 containers abreast.

The Ports Authority ordered the cranes from Paceco Corp. 17 months ago.? They were built in South Korea by Hyundai Heavy Industries and left the Port of Ulsan on August 22, sailing around the tip of South Africa.? The ship is carrying two other cranes for the Port of Philadelphia.

The new cranes will run on electric power, as opposed to older generation diesel-electric cranes that generate additional air pollution.? And Charleston's new cranes are the first container cranes in the United States to feature 100% AC power systems, which is designed to minimize maintenance and operating costs.? The Ports Authority specified this requirement.

The two new container cranes are the Port's largest and fastest to date.? While similar in size to the four newest cranes delivered to the Wando Welch Terminal in 2000, the new cranes have a much larger lifting capacity, hoisting up to 65 tons of cargo?under the spreader bar, as opposed to 40 tons.

Key customers at Columbus Street are COSCO, K-Line, Yang-Ming and Hanjin.? In addition, Atlanticargo recently moved from the North Charleston Terminal to Columbus Street.

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Charleston, SC - Today, the S.C. State Ports Authority Board approved several major Port improvement projects totaling $4.2 million, part of a two-year, $128-million program to increase utilization of existing terminals:

Columbus Street Terminal

Two Paceco Espana container cranes will be modified at a cost of $1.5 million. East Coast Cranes and Electrical of the Isle of Palms, SC will modify the cranes so they can move along a curved crane rail on the dock to a new container berth that is nearing completion. East Coast will also strengthen the main structure.

Republic Contracting of Columbia, SC will strengthen and improve a small section of crane beam to support routine operation of container cranes. Construction will take two months at a cost of $376,226.

Norfolk Dredging of Chesapeake, VA will dredge Berths 1, 2 and 3 to 52 feet mean low water (MLW), consistent with the project depth of 45 feet MLW. The maintenance work will be done in September at a cost of $820,950.

Other Work

Approximately 11 acres of container storage will be repaired and improved at the North Charleston Terminal. Sanders Brothers of North Charleston will perform the work for $451,881 in about three and one half months.

To improve upland dredge disposal capacity in close proximity to the lower harbor terminals, J-Mac Construction of Calabash, NC will raise the containment dikes in the Daniel Island west cell. Construction will require four months at a cost of $732,700.

Marinex Construction Company of Charleston will perform maintenance dredging to 35 feet MLW on berths alongside the most active piers at the existing Navy Base Terminal. The piers had not been dredged by the previous tenant since April 2001. This facility is now operated by the Ports Authority for breakbulk and bulk cargo. The cost of the work is $337,800.

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Charleston, SC - The South Carolina State Ports Authority announced today that it will play an active role in the war on terrorism by signing up for the world's first global supply chain security initiative.

At a ceremony this morning in the U.S. Custom House in Charleston, Ports Authority President and CEO Bernard S. Groseclose Jr. signed an agreement pledging South Carolina?s ports to the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, or C-TPAT.

Groseclose was joined by Customs & Border Protection's interim Charleston port director, Pam Zaresk, and Robert Gomez, C&BP's interim director of field operations in Atlanta. "We are committed to this program and to securing the supply chain," said Groseclose.

By agreeing to participate in the voluntary program, the Ports Authority will take a number of steps to enhance and improve security:

• Re-assess the current condition of port security
• Complete a port security profile
• Develop and implement new security measures
• Encourage other companies to participate in C-TPAT

The goal of C-TPAT is to enhance anti-terrorism efforts by strengthening security measures not only at the border, but throughout the entire supply chain. It's a daunting task, considering more than a dozen private companies and public agencies can touch each shipment on its way from overseas origin to final destination in the U.S.

Importers and transportation service providers that participate in the program become the front lines of the nation?s anti-terrorism efforts. Benefits of participation include not only higher security, but potentially a reduced number of inspections and a greater focus on self-compliance with guidelines.

Companies are encouraged to involve their suppliers and transportation partners in C-TPAT creating a web of security that will eventually extend overseas. Some of the world?s largest companies are already involved, including Wal-Mart and several ocean carriers serving the Port of Charleston.

"To the Ports Authority, C-TPAT means teamwork," said Bernard S. Groseclose Jr., president and CEO of the South Carolina State Ports Authority. "By working closer with others in the supply chain, our community, our state and our nation will enjoy a higher level of security."

C-TPAT is one of several new programs developed by U.S. Customs & Border Protection over the 21 months since 9/11. For more information on C-TPAT, see the Customs & Border Protection website:

http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/import/commercial_enforcement/ctpat/

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Charleston, SC - The Port of Charleston today presented a two-year capital improvement program to boost capacity at existing facilities, while making progress toward new port capacity.

At a teleconference Board meeting, the South Carolina State Ports Authority approved the fiscal year 2004 financial plan and presented a two-year, $128-million capital investment plan to increase utilization of existing port facilities.

"These investments will allow us to efficiently handle our customers? growth over the near-term and get ready for the future," said Bernard S. Groseclose Jr., president and CEO of the Ports Authority.

The FY04 plan calls for the Port of Charleston's container business to grow 5%. Container volume is up 12% through the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, which ends June 30. Operating revenues are projected to increase over 4% to $114 million in FY04.

In the $128 million capital plan, approximately $92 million is scheduled for major capital projects, such as terminal improvements projects and container cranes. Another $36 million is slated for cargo handling equipment purchases and other projects.

To prepare for new port development on the former Charleston Navy Base, $3.4 million is planned for environmental, geotechnical and access studies.

Summary of Capital Planning FY04 & 05

• Container Cranes - $31.1 million
• Wharf Improvement - $25.6 million
• Container Yard Improvements - $20.6 million
• Container Yard Cranes (RTGs) - $13.5 million
• Other Capital Projects & Equipment - $37.8 million
• Cooper River Bridge Replacement - $10 million

Charleston, SC - Two new Asian shipping services will begin calling the Port of Charleston this summer, bringing 78 new vessel calls a year and improving the port's connections to the exploding China trade.

"This is great news for our port," said Bernard S. Groseclose Jr., president and CEO of the South Carolina State Ports Authority.? "For our waterfront, it means new business," said Groseclose.? "And for companies trading with Asia, it means more options, more competition and quicker transit times," said Groseclose.

In response to booming Asia-U.S. trade and in the wake of labor disruption on the West Coast, ocean shipping companies have begun introducing new services direct to the U.S. East Coast.? Companies are sending more cargo through East Coast ports, instead of the typical West Coast distribution.

For example, this spring, the Ports Authority secured significant new business when it signed an agreement with a company to distribute thousands of containers of product for Wal-Mart.? A number of other distributors, both large and small, have also begun using Charleston.

Consequently, loaded container imports through the Port of Charleston are up 15% through the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, which ends this month.? Over the past two years, China has become the port's second-largest trading partner, behind only Germany.

In 2002, the Port of Charleston handled 120,000 TEUs (20-foot equivalent container units) in the trade with China.

Existing customers of the port are starting the two new services.? Maersk-Sealand, the port's largest ocean carrier customer and the world's largest shipping company, has added Charleston to its port rotation for an existing Asia-to-U.S. East Coast service.

The weekly Maersk-Sealand service, known as TP7 means 52 new ship calls a year for the port.? It also gives Charleston excellent inbound transit times from mainland China, Korea, Hong Kong and Japan, as short as 22 days.

In addition, another group of port customers known as the Grand Alliance will begin an entirely new service between Asia and the U.S. East Coast in early July.

The new service by the Grand Alliance, which includes OOCL of Hong Kong, Japan's NYK Line and German-based Hapag-Lloyd, will initially call every 14 days.? But port executives hope it will quickly evolve into a weekly frequency.? It will mean increased access to mainland China, through the ports of Shanghai and Yantian, as well as Hong Kong.

The two new services bring the total of Asia services in Charleston to seven.? Both of the new services cross the Pacific Ocean and transit the Panama Canal.? So it's natural that the Ports Authority would consider partnering with the Panama Canal Authority.

Port officials met with a delegation from the Panama Canal earlier this summer.? Canal authorities plan to sign memoranda of understanding with six other ports to improve services and increase trade.

SIDEBAR - CHARLESTON'S ASIA SERVICES

Weekly service added Charleston with the call of the SEALAND EAGLE on June 14, providing excellent inbound transit times from Japan, Hong Kong, mainland China and Korea.

New fortnightly service begins with the initial call of the OOCL HARMONY on July 7 from the Chinese ports of Yantian, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Weekly service from China with a 21-day transit time port-to-port from Hong Kong, rivals landbridge transit times and is very popular with the importers.? Charleston first East Coast port of discharge from Qingdao, Yantian & Hong Kong

Eliminated calls on the U.S. West Coast to provide faster direct service to the US South Atlantic. The deployment serves Japan, Mainland China, Hong Kong & Taiwan.

Features a twice weekly call at Charleston, one eastbound the other westbound, covering Taiwan, Korea and four ports in Japan.

Weekly service with coverage of Chiwan, China, as well as Hong Kong, Taiwan and three ports in Japan. Also have a slot arrangement with Evergreen to serve Pusan, Korea and other Asian countries.

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Charleston, SC - Container volume through the Port of Charleston totaled 132,000 TEUs in January, a 30% increase from the same month last year. Total container exports were up 31% from January 2002, while imports rose 29%.

Through the first seven months of fiscal year 2003 (Jul02-Jan03), Charleston container volume totaled 959,000 TEUs, up 13% from the same period last year. This puts Charleston on pace to top 1.6 million TEUs for the year.

Most of the year-to-date growth came from the North Charleston Terminal, where Evergreen and Mediterranean Shipping Company are the primary customers. But the Wando Welch and Columbus Street Terminals saw increased volume as well.

Despite the increasing business, productivity and safety measures remain high. Vessel productivity in December, Charleston's third busiest month ever, topped 36.5 moves per crane per hour. And the South Carolina State Ports Authority's employee accident rate has been reduced, declining nearly 53% since 2000 to one accident for every 29,885 man-hours worked in 2002.

Meanwhile, through the first seven months, the Ports Authority's operating earnings increased 40% from the same period last year to $9 million on operating revenues of $61.3 million. Ports Authority operations generated $15.9 million in cash flow for reinvestment in existing facilities and debt payments. **

The USNS Capella, a U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command Fast Sealift Ship, arrived this morning at the South Carolina State Ports Authority's North Charleston Terminal to load military cargo in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and future contingencies.

The ship is being loaded with rolling stock and containerized cargo by the Army Military Traffic Management Command's 841^st Transportation Terminal Brigade, in close cooperation and partnership with the private waterfront community and the Ports Authority.

The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port has issued a moving, 500-yard naval vessel protection security zone in and around Charleston Harbor, which will be enforced by Coast Guard patrols.

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Norwegian Majesty set to sail a series of 24 seven-day cruises

January 24, 2003 - Today, Norwegian Cruise Line announced that it would add Charleston, South Carolina to its rapidly expanding Homeland Cruising program. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) will redeploy the Norwegian Majesty to the popular Southern city beginning Saturday, November 8, 2003. She will sail a series of 24 seven-day cruises to the Western Caribbean calling on George Town, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Mexico and Key West, Florida.

This full season of seven-day Caribbean cruises is the most expansive ever offered from the Port of Charleston demonstrating the commitment of NCL to expanding Homeland Cruising into new and innovative ports throughout the US and Canada. By offering these new cruises out of Charleston, NCL can cater to drive markets in nearby cities such as Greenville and Columbia, South Carolina; Asheville, Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina; and Atlanta, Augusta and Savannah, Georgia.

With the addition of Charleston, NCL's popular Homeland Cruising program expands to 13 ports from which cruisers can go Freestyle Cruising.

"Our Homeland Cruising program keeps growing because it has really struck a chord with our travel partners and their clients," said Colin Veitch, chief executive officer and president of Norwegian Cruise Line. " Charleston is a vibrant, beautiful city and an ideal location on the East Coast for Norwegian Majesty, a favorite with NCL passengers."

"The Port of Charleston is excited about the opportunity to serve the Norwegian Majesty and the passengers that she will attract to our city," said Bernard S. Groseclose, Jr., president & CEO of South Carolina State Ports Authority. " Charleston is a world-class city and will be a perfect fit with NCL, which is clearly a world-class cruise line. NCL's commitment to Charleston is a welcome boost to the Charleston economy."

Following is Norwegian Majesty's new itinerary:

Day	Port	Arrive	Depart
Saturday	Charleston, South Carolina		4 pm
Sunday	At Sea
Monday	At Sea
Tuesday	George Town, Grand Cayman	7 am	3 pm
Wednesday	Cozumel, Mexico	10 am	6 pm
Thursday	Key West, Florida	3 pm	10 pm
Friday		At Sea
Saturday	Charleston, South Carolina	8 am

The 1,462-passenger Norwegian Majesty is one of NCL's 10 Freestyle Cruising ships and features six restaurants, The Palace Theatre, an Internet Cafe, Body Waves spa and fitness center, the Monte Carlo Casino and the Kids Korner children's center.

For further information on NCL, contact a travel agent or NCL in the U.S. and Canada at (800) 327-7030; in Miami-Dade County, Fla., (305) 436-0866; visit NCL's web site at www.ncl.com; or on AOL at keyword: NCL; or to download high resolution photography visit www.ncl.com/hires.

His name is B.J. and he's a trained yellow Lab working dog.? He'll be assigned to patrol the docks, searching vehicles, cargoes and people.

Fortunately, the Ports Authority already has an officer on the force with several years of experience in dog handling and training.? She and B.J. the bomb dog will get to work right away.

B.J. joins more than 150 state and federal law enforcement personnel safeguarding the docks, storage yards and waterways around the Port of Charleston.

He was trained by Fallen Rock Kennels of Mayesville, SC, near Sumter.? Fallen Rock is owned by Chief Paul McCombs, a veteran police officer and head of the Mayesville Police Department.

Fallen Rock donated B.J. to the Ports Authority.? To work the Port of Georgetown and surrounding community, Chief McCombs and Fallen Rock also donated a dog to the Georgetown County Sheriff's office.

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Before I begin with my prepared remarks I'd like to take this opportunity to recognize Mayor Summey's hard work and dedication during our recent negotiations.

As you know, about three weeks ago the Ports Authority and the City of North Charleston announced that we had reached an agreement on how to divide the former Navy Base.

This followed several months of negotiations between Mayor Summey and his team, together with members of the Ports Authority's board and staff.

These negotiations were sometimes heated, but nearly always productive. And never once did we have to bring in the armored personnel carrier.

I can tell you first hand that Mayor Summey is a straight shooter. He approached every issue, no matter how contentious, in an open and earnest way.

I think it's safe to say that the Ports Authority never once had to question or second guess his position. It was understood.

It was also never in doubt how sincerely he feels about the future of his city. He worked hard to get the very best deal for his constituents.

But with that said, he also took the time to understand and appreciate the maritime industry's future needs and the needs of economic development across South Carolina.

As a result, we reached an agreement to share the Base that's truly a win-win for the City of North Charleston and for the Port. Please join me in thanking Mayor Summey for doing the right thing for his city and also, for the State of South Carolina.

Congressman Brown, members of the General Assembly, Authority Board members, Mayor Summey, community leaders, colleagues on the Charleston waterfront and other distinguished guests, it is my pleasure and honor to be with you here tonight.

As I thought about how to present this year's State-of-the-Port Address, I couldn't help but reflect on how much has changed in the transportation industry over the past 14 months.

The tragedy of Sept. 11th, the West Coast lock-out and other events have thrust our industry into the limelight. You can't turn on the TV or read a newspaper or magazine without some mention of the transportation industry.

Our business, which is usually performed out of sight and on the periphery of the economy, has probably never had as much attention. It is understandable that recent events made me want to focus on the future rather than the past.

A couple of months ago in PortCharleston magazine I used my space in the Viewpoint column for a piece titled "Moving Forward With A Positive Attitude." That is what I want to focus on tonight in this state of the port address.

Our challenge as a port, as a business community, and as a state, is to realize our position in the global economy and to capitalize on the tremendous opportunities that we have.

Tonight is not only a time to reflect on the challenges we face?it is also a time to commit to a direction and move forward with a positive attitude. So, allow me to review several fronts on which we are focusing our attention now: security, harbor deepening, bridge replacement, business attraction & retention, and port expansion. I will touch on all of these briefly.

Clearly one of the biggest issues facing our nation today is security. Last year's state-of-the-port came on the heels of one of the most tragic days in U.S. history. At that time, there was considerable uncertainty over what lay ahead.

Since then, we have taken a comprehensive approach to port security. We took decisive steps to bolster our position. While many ports have been faced with playing catch-up since 9/11, I am proud to say that Charleston is rather well positioned when it comes to port security.

We're not resting on our laurels by any means. But it is definitely reassuring to know that we have for years invested in an independent, well-trained port police force and in physical security, such as lighting, fencing and surveillance.

Earlier this year, the federal government announced that our Port would be receiving almost $2 million in funding for some specific new port security measures. We already spend more than that every year on port security, and there's certainly more that can and should be done.

Our mission as an industry is to protect our people, our economy and our transportation network while making sure that cargo flows smoothly. This requires the teamwork and patience of many, and is no easy task.

There will, no doubt, be permanent changes to the way cargo is handled. But, with the leadership of our key federal agencies here in Charleston, I am confident that we will succeed in implementing this change properly.

We have the best in the business here in Charleston - people like Julian Miller and Rod Wallace and the other dedicated men and women at U.S. Customs, as well as Commanders Merrick and DeNicola of the Coast Guard and their Coasties. We're lucky to have all of them in our port.

The private sector must also continue to take a leadership role in transportation security. After all, you are the front line, and I applaud your efforts to lead the charge in securing our transportation network.

As a matter of fact, while I'm complimenting members of our local maritime community, let me take the opportunity to call particular attention to Evergreen's recent actions. After an accident caused serious damage to one of their vessels that resulted in an oil spill here, they quickly jumped forward to undertake the necessary clean-up before it had even been confirmed they had any responsibility. I admire their forthrightness and their determination to correct any problems. Their actions were admirable and make a good public impression for our industry.

As we turn from investments in security to investments in facilities, I believe the picture is equally strong.

I'm sure you've all heard about the expansion and investment plans at other ports. There's one port that has more than a billion dollars in infrastructure work underway right now. And that port is? Charleston.

With harbor deepening, the Ports Authority's three-year capital plan, the new Ravenel Bridge and potential port expansion at the Navy Base, we have well over a billion dollars being invested in our state's future. This investment is both warranted, and greatly needed.

As we gather here tonight, the Charleston harbor deepening project is rapidly nearing its completion in 2004. The last major contract to deepen the upper Cooper River has been awarded and this work is ongoing. In a little over a year, Charleston will offer some of the deepest shipping channels on the East and Gulf Coasts at 45 feet to all major marine terminals.

The Ports Authority also continues to seek ways to do more with existing terminals. Over the next three years alone we plan to invest more than $150 million of our own funds into improving our public facilities at Columbus Street, North Charleston, Wando Welch, Union Pier, Georgetown and Port Royal.

Also, as you know, construction of the new Ravenel Bridge is underway and the Ports Authority is making significant contributions to this project.

During the past year the Authority Board voted to contribute $45 million in cash from the Ports Authority's own revenues. We are providing significant non-cash support to the project as well, providing a staging area on the Columbus Street Terminal, easements across Drum Island and dredge disposal capacity on Daniel Island.

When completed, this bridge will be the largest cable-stayed bridge in the nation - a fitting structure for our world-class port. It was designed with future navigational requirements in mind and will not hinder our competitiveness with other ports in the region.

As we look to future business volume, international commerce through the Port of Charleston continues to rebound.

August was an all-time record month for the Port of Charleston. Never before in its 330-year history has Charleston handled so much waterborne trade.

Through the first four months of this fiscal year, container volume totaled nearly 550,000 TEUs, or 20-foot equivalent container units. This is an 8.2% increase from the same period last year.

While exports continue to decline or remain stagnant, imports are leading the way. As long as consumer spending and manufacturing keep pace, Charleston could potentially reach 1.6 million TEUs again this year, fortifying our well-earned position as the fourth busiest container port in the nation.

I'm sure this is a welcome prediction for business through our Port. And it's certainly better than last year, when the Port of Charleston's container volume declined for the first time in nine years.

Everyone wants to know why Charleston's port business declined last year. Afterall, the Port of Charleston led the nation in growth for the better part of the past decade.

We obviously saw the impact of a sluggish economy even before 9/11, as well as the effects of a strong dollar that made U.S. products more expensive overseas.

But, if it were solely these factors, other ports in our region should have seen similar decreases in volume. In fact, nearly all of the neighboring states competing with South Carolina saw a recovery in volume long before we did.

Obviously, there was something else at work. I believe, as I think many of you do, that the delay over port expansion cost our port and our state a number of economic opportunities.

Fortunately, that stalemate was broken. Senator Ritchie introduced a bill in the last legislative session that got the port expansion issue on the table. Then in June, a compromise brokered by Sen. McConnell passed the General Assembly with a nearly unanimous vote.

Since then, the Ports Authority has worked hard over recent months to meet the requirements of this legislation.

It is vital that when the General Assembly returns in January, South Carolina moves forward decisively on the issue of port expansion.

Another lost opportunity will do incredible damage to our port's reputation, and indeed our state's reputation, as a positive place for business.

Shippers and ocean carriers trust those of us in the broader maritime community to move their goods to and from markets. They want to know that we are capable of meeting their long-term needs. Let's send them the right message? South Carolina is proud of its port and intends to be a major player for decades to come.

That leads to the last major infrastructure project facing our state - port expansion on the southern end of the former Navy Base.

Early next year when our members of the General Assembly return to Columbia, the Ports Authority will present a new plan for the future of our port.

I believe this plan will enjoy the support of the local maritime industry, the statewide business community, the local Charleston community, our elected officials and the permitting agencies.

Our agreement with the City of North Charleston identifies over 600 acres for potential long-term port development. The southern end of the Navy Base is a feasible location for port expansion. And it deserves the immediate attention of our state. It is imperative that we act quickly because thousands of high-paying jobs across South Carolina are at stake.

If we are successful, South Carolina can continue to leverage its most successful asset - the Port of Charleston - and can attract better, higher-paying jobs to our state.

We hope to receive the General Assembly's consent in the upcoming session that the southern end of the Navy Base is the right place to expand.

We also hope that the state will commit the funding required to complete the necessary studies and environmental work at the site. The remaining harbor deepening work also requires state matching funds.

Of course, after discussing it for over a decade, we cannot ignore Daniel Island. Everyone asks what we will do with our land there.

Let me make it clear? the Ports Authority has absolutely no plans to develop a terminal on Daniel Island. Development of a sizeable terminal on the west bank of the Cooper River precludes the need for a terminal on Daniel Island and limits that property's use to a valuable upland dredge disposal site to support berth and channel maintenance. This is what was suggested in the legislation passed in June; it is how the property was used for 50 years, and it provides a more economical and environmentally sensitive alternative to ocean disposal.

While the property may have to be sold in part or in whole in the future, I believe it would be premature to do so in haste without fully analyzing its alternative values and uses.

Since the Ports Authority was established in 1942, we have learned many lessons about our port that continue to serve us today.

We have seen that the port's future success and the state's economic opportunities depend on wise leadership and swift action by our elected officials.

When we acted on facts and with good business judgment, our port and our economy prospered. When we failed to act, our port and our economy foundered. Let's do the right thing as a state and ensure a brighter economic future.

In conclusion, as the Ports Authority celebrates its 60th anniversary, we remain focused on the future with a new direction and a positive outlook.

I am confident that with your support, Charleston will reclaim its role as the undisputed leader of ports - not just here, but around the world.

I thank you for your support of these initiatives and of the Port, and?greatly appreciate the opportunity to be with you tonight.