June 28, 2010

Port of Charleston Named Top Green Supply Chain Partner

Inbound Logistics magazine has named the Port of Charleston to its annual Top 50 Green Supply Chain Partners (G50) list.

The magazine's editors selected transportation service providers in several categories for demonstrated commitment to supply chain sustainability. Charleston was one of only five ports selected for the honor, which is featured in the magazine's June 2010 issue.

"The Port of Charleston is proud to be recognized as a leader in environmental practices," said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA). "In working with our partners and customers on a host of voluntary programs that save money and reduce impacts, we have demonstrated that environmental sustainability can be good for the environment and the bottom line."

In a notice to the winners, Felecia Stratton, editor of Inbound Logistics, said they picked companies and organizations that are truly 'walking the walk' when it comes to commitment to supply chain sustainability.

In addition to more than $12 million in land, water and community projects, the SCSPA has partnered with the state's environmental regulatory agency and 23 private companies and associations on two federal grant projects to reduce port-related air emissions. This work, which totals more than $5 million through EPA grant funds and nearly 50 percent in local matching funds, include various projects to retrofit equipment, replace engines, use cleaner fuels and reduce emissions from port equipment, trucks, tugs and other harbor craft.

The Port of Charleston's efforts earned the EPA's national Environmental Justice Achievement Award in 2009 and were recognized by the Southeast Diesel Collaborative earlier this year. The Port's "Pledge for Growth" environmental program has won the 2009 American Association of Port Authorities' Environmental Improvement Award, the 2009 Environmental Stewardship Award from the Maritime Association of South Carolina, as well as several other awards.

The mission of Thomas Publishing's Inbound Logistics is to provide logistics managers with the information they need to speed cycle times, reduce inventories and use logistics expertise to get closer to their markets and customers.

The magazine's entire G50 article is available online.