Charleston, SC - A new Middle East shipping service will begin calling the Port of Charleston in late May.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen, which already calls Charleston's Union Pier Terminal, will offer this monthly, direct service between the Middle East and the U.S. East and Gulf coasts. The vessels will carry roll-on/roll-off and breakbulk cargo such as automobiles, non-containerized freight and military cargo. The overseas ports will include Jeddah and Damman in Saudi Arabia, Dubai in United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen will initially deploy two vessels and plans to expand the service to four vessels, increasing the frequency to every 21 days.
The South Carolina State Ports Authority, established in 1942, owns and operates public seaport facilities in Charleston, Georgetown and Port Royal, handling international commerce valued at $39 billion annually.