A new liner service operating between Charleston and several ports in the Middle East and India commences this month, representing new business and a new carrier for the Port of Charleston.
National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (NSCSA) will make the inaugural call of its North America service at Charleston's Columbus Street Terminal the week of March 30. The deployment will be a liner service handling a combination of traditional breakbulk, roll-on/roll-off and containerized cargo. The frequency is every 21 days.
The North America service connects Charleston to the ports of Jeddah, Jubail and Dammam in Saudi Arabia; Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates; Mumbai, India; Port Qasim, Pakistan and Livorno, Italy. Carolina Shipping will serve as the local agent for NSCSA.
Ray Jozwiak, NSCSA market analyst, said the carrier is looking forward to adding Charleston.
"There are some large breakbulk cargo shippers in the Port of Charleston's marketplace that make it the logical port of call," Jozwiak said. "On the inbound side, Charleston is a strong gateway for India goods, particularly textile imports. So this will initially be driven by breakbulk outbound and containers inbound and we will work quickly to add more freight."
Jozwiak added that NSCSA is committed to 'novel and vigorous solutions' for customers to help them find creative and efficient means of conducting business in these challenging times.
"We are broadening our reach in an effort to provide those solutions," he said. "Charleston is a strong addition to the rotation."
"This is great news for South Carolina Ports and the maritime community," said David J. Posek, chairman of the South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA). "This is a new service which brings vessel calls and freight to the Port of Charleston and will have a positive impact on the businesses that rely on the port's operations."
John F. Hassell III, interim president and CEO of the SCSPA, praised the collaborative effort of both the public and private sector in winning the business. Involved in bringing the carrier to Charleston were Carolina Shipping, Dockside Logistics, Charleston Heavy Lift, SSA Cooper, South Carolina Public Railways, both class 1 railroads, several local truckers and others.
"This was truly a team effort from many on the local waterfront," Hassell said. "We look forward to welcoming another carrier to our port and growing this business."