Archives: News Entries

Charleston, SC - November 10, 2000 - The Ports Authority is once again fairly evaluating all reasonable options for future port expansion to serve the needs of businesses in the Upstate and across South Carolina. The resulting analysis will be absolutely vital for South Carolinians as we determine the future course of our port system, the state's avenue to world markets.

It is now understood by reasonable people in Charleston and throughout the state that to meet the international shipping needs of South Carolina industry, we must move forward with plans to expand our state's primary port in Charleston. It is no longer a question of "if," but "where"

Assuming only modest 5.8% annual trade growth, in the very near future the port will experience a shortage of capacity, which will influence our ability to serve manufacturers. This is significant because the port has consistently exceeded its projections for future port growth. In fiscal 2000, volume increased 16%. Through the first quarter of this fiscal year, volume is 11% higher than the same period last year. Considering the lead-time required to construct new port facilities, preparations must begin immediately.

The initial proposal to meet this demand was the Global Gateway Terminal on Daniel Island in Charleston harbor. After an exhaustive site evaluation process that began in the late 1980s, the Ports Authority purchased 1,300 acres of former dredge disposal sites, which neighbored several thousand additional acres of undeveloped property.

In a very public debate, the City of Charleston approved the appropriate zoning and land use plan. Development agreements were reached between the city, the Ports Authority and the developer for light and noise standards, traffic separation, access corridors, berms and buffers - all before the first home or office was constructed on the island. Clearly, the port was a part of Daniel Island development from the very beginning in 1992 and comes as no surprise to local residents.

After Base Closure was announced in 1993, the Ports Authority suspended work on Daniel Island at the request of the community to focus on the potential for port development on the former Navy Base. The initial proposal for redevelopment of the Base included a port, but progress was impossible due to local political and public opposition to a container port facility. By 1995, zoning laws precluded a container terminal on the Base and the Ports Authority Board resolved that efforts should return to Daniel Island.

In 1997, the Ports Authority began what is without question the most open and visible public permitting process in South Carolina's history. We even asked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to go beyond the established realm of recognized public meetings and create a series of new opportunities for public involvement. Although the Ports Authority has been barraged by dozens of nuisance FOIA requests, we have responded to every single request.

During this open process, vocal opposition to the initial proposal by local neighborhoods and environmental activists has focused primarily on quality of life issues, such as traffic, lights and noise, and the ultimate size of port development.

Acknowledging the local opposition, while also recognizing the dire need to move forward on port expansion, the Ports Authority Board stepped away from the initial proposal and requested an analysis of three options. We have been listening to the public and we have heard their concerns. This is reflected in the alternatives to be further reviewed.

The sites to be considered are about half of the Ports Authority's property on Daniel Island, a site in Jasper County on the Savannah River, and portions of the former Charleston Naval Base. On November 15, we will present a report of the technical, engineering, infrastructure and environmental issues relating to each site, along with timing and cost considerations.

Despite unfounded charges by local opponents of port expansion, the Ports Authority will prepare the most comprehensive and reasonable analysis possible. We will continue to present all of the considerations in the same professional manner that we manage the nation's most productive port.

It is my personal commitment to provide our Board and the people of South Carolina all of the facts on these sites - facts on which the most educated decision can be made. This decision should reflect the concerns of the community, as well as commercial needs of the port and South Carolina industry.

Charleston, SC - October 30, 2000 - The most pressing issues facing the Port of Charleston reflect the key issues for the entire international transportation community. Exponential growth, new applications of information technology and public awareness present serious challenges to our industry.

Despite the presumption that excess port capacity plagues the U.S. East Coast, it is obvious that our industry will face a shortage of space in the near future. When you combine dwindling available waterfront land with booming population, the result strains both terminal and landside access.

As a result of these trends, ports and terminal operators must better manage their land resources and optimize their use. The Port of Charleston is proud to be leading the charge in this regard. Demand-driven port expansion, combined with improved utilization, is a prudent course of investment that will serve demands into the coming decades.

Although ports are just one link, they also must help plan and guide intermodal development beyond their gates, pressing for improvements to the rail and road infrastructure.

Applying information technology in productive ways can also yield benefits for ports and their customers. There exist many opportunities for ports, particularly operating ports, to improve performance through IT initiatives. These can boost utilization and profitability, and even the most fierce ocean carrier negotiators should appreciate the financial health of their port suppliers.

Improving the general awareness of transportation should also be a priority in the coming years. This is necessary if we hope to gain the public and political support required to make the needed improvements to our nation's transportation infrastructure.

Until there is a problem, our industry goes unnoticed. When compared to other industries, we maintain a relatively low profile. This must change and our issues must be appreciated before the negative impacts of poor planning impact our economy.

Charleston, SC - October 26, 2000 - The success of the Port of Charleston is a driving factor in the bright financial future expected for city governments in Charleston and North Charleston, according to Moody's Investors Service.

Moody's recently looked at South Carolina's five largest cities - Charleston, North Charleston, Columbia, Greenville and Rock Hill - and predicts stable to improving credit positions.

Moody's said in a special comment that its rosy assessment "is a product of a healthy state economy, the economic benefit derived from the Port of Charleston, a strong transportation infrastructure and the state's aggressive economic development initiatives."

While the study said all five cities benefit from the positive trends, the local area has specific benefit from the maritime community, which it calls "a nationally renown shipping port." The report says, "Charleston and North Charleston derive direct economic benefit from the Port of Charleston and Charleston further benefits from its sizable tourism sector."

Other positives in the city of Charleston were tourism and economic diversity in the historic section including centers of higher learning. Moody's noted "modest" growth in the city of Charleston's tax base, but anticipated reassessment in 2001 "will result in significant tax base growth."

In addition to the port, "North Charleston benefits from its location near the city of Charleston." The report also cited residential growth and a "diverse assortment of manufacturing, trade and service industries." North Charleston's "unique challenges" include above average debt and below average wealth and income levels.

Charleston, SC - October 20, 2000 - On the strength of U.S. imports from Asia and Europe, container volume through the Port of Charleston increased 11% in the third quarter to 417,558 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units).

"While exports to South America and Asia are expected to remain healthy, they simply can not match the U.S. economy and our demand for foreign goods," said Bernard S. Groseclose Jr., president and CEO of the South Carolina State Ports Authority. "Imports from Asia and Europe should continue to lead the way."

Through the first nine months of the year, the Port of Charleston has moved 1,218,851 TEUs, also an increase of 11% from the same period last year. Year-to-date, loaded import TEUs are up 13% while loaded export containers increased 10%.

To handle the increasing volume, this year the Ports Authority's capital plan calls for nearly $50 million in new equipment and improvements to existing terminals. Six new RTGs are currently under construction for deployment at the Wando Welch Terminal and five new seven-high stackers are on order. Two super-post panamax container cranes were recently delivered and two additional units will be delivered within two weeks. All four will be operational within two months.

The South Carolina State Ports Authority operates public seaport facilities in Charleston, Georgetown and Port Royal. The Port of Charleston is currently the nation's fourth busiest container port, moving cargo valued at $80 million every day.

Charleston, SC - October 4, 2000 - The Ports Authority Board today unanimously approved a resolution directing management to review options for port expansion. These sites would include the Cooper River side of Daniel Island, the former Charleston Naval Base and a site in Jasper County. The Board said it, "fully supports the efforts of the Authority to expand the Port in order to meet the demonstrated needs of not only its users, but most importantly, the needs of our state." The Board requested that a preliminary report on the technical, engineering, environmental, cost, time and infrastructure factors of the various alternatives be presented at the next meeting.

Georgetown, SC - September 8, 2000 - International trade through the Port of Georgetown reached record levels in the first two months of the Ports Authority's fiscal year, pointing to a banner year for South Carolina's second largest seaport.

Twenty ships docked in Georgetown during July and August, carrying more than 343,996 tons of forest products, salt, cement and steel for local industries. Ship traffic was up 75% and tonnage increased more than 100% when compared to the same two months last year.

Port Director David Schronce shared the dramatic numbers with Ports Authority Board members at a monthly meeting in Charleston on Wednesday.

"The Port of Georgetown plays a key role in the day-to-day business of our region's key employers," said David Schronce. "We are here to serve them, and I think these numbers show that our services are in demand."

Charleston, SC - September 6, 2000 - The Ports Authority Board today approved a $724,176 contract for maintenance dredging at the Union Pier Terminal berths. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company will perform the work. Union Pier handles breakbulk and roll-on roll-off ships. Commodities across the dock include import and export BMWs, earth-moving equipment, farm
machinery, forest products, Porsches, boats and other non-containerized goods.

Charleston, SC - August 2, 2000 - June was the busiest month in Port history, capping the Ports Authority's eighth consecutive record-setting fiscal year. Exports accounted for most of the growth, as trade through the Port increased 16% in fiscal year 2000 to more than 1. 5 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). Despite the double-digit volume increase, ship traffic increased only 1%.

Charleston, SC - August 1, 2000 - In the Midlands region of South Carolina, international trade is a vital component of the economy. Recent analysis shows that:

• Every year, the ten largest exporters in the Midlands region ship more than 350,000 tons of products through the Port of Charleston - that's two million pounds every day.
• In the Midlands region, there are 248 exporters employing 43,115 people.
• What International Business Means to the Midlands Region - The Annual Economic Impact of Trade through the Ports Authority
• Companies Make $1.5 Billion in Sales
• Residents Earn $389 Million in Wages
• State and Local Governments Collect $46.5 Million in Taxes