TIMMONSVILLE, SC - DECEMBER 16, 2015 - November container traffic drove a seven percent increase in South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) fiscal year-to-date volumes, with 831,627 twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs) handled since the fiscal year began in July.
SCPA moved 153,594 TEUs last month, an increase of 6.5 percent over 144,218 TEUs handled in November 2014.
As measured in pier containers, or total boxes handled, fiscal year-to-date volumes were up 5.7 percent with 468,776 boxes moving across SCPA docks since July.
Non-containerized cargo volume climbed nearly 13 percent higher than fiscal year-to-date plans, with 581,915 pier tons moved during the period. Charleston handled 69,966 tons in November, while Georgetown moved 28,172 tons.
"The Port's November volumes reflect the sustained moderate growth we expected during FY2016," said SCPA president and CEO Jim Newsome. "Our broad-based increases will remain tempered in comparison to last year's double-digit growth, but I expect we will continue to keep pace with growth above the US port market average."
Rail moves at the Inland Port continued to be strong, with 6,076 moves in November. Fiscal year to date, the facility has handled 34,307 rail moves, an increase of 58.2 percent compared to the same period last year.
Board Action
The Board approved a modification to the construction contract for the expansion of the New Orleans Cold Storage facility, which upon completion will double its existing storage space. Refrigerated cargo is a rapidly growing market segment for SCPA, with annual refrigerated cargo volume growth of 20 percent from fiscal year 2014 to 2015.
SVP Human Resources Announced
SCPA announced that Bob Mozdean will join the organization as Senior Vice President of Human Resources in January. Mozdean has substantial experience as a senior human resources executive, including stints with Hapag-Lloyd, Overseas Shipholding Group, Dannon, and Seagram Spirit and Wines Group.
"Bob Mozdean is a very experienced human resources professional who will assist us in the further development of our human resources function and our cultural change initiative," said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO. "Ensuring that we have a talented workforce is key to our success going forward."
Pee Dee Economic Impact Study
SCPA released results of a new economic impact study completed by the University of South Carolina's Darla Moore School of Business highlighting the Port's impacts on the Pee Dee region. The study found that the Port supports 1 in 14 Pee Dee jobs paying 40 percent higher than the state's average annual wage.
The Pee Dee region benefits from $6.3 billion in annual economic activity representing 12 percent of SCPA's total statewide economic impact. Approximately $1.2 billion in labor income from Port operations is infused into the Pee Dee economy annually.
The study was completed by research economist Joseph Von Nessen using total economic impacts associated with port operations and port users during the 2014 calendar year. It identified the impacts of port operations on the following counties: Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, Marlboro and Williamsburg.
"In the Pee Dee region alone, the Port's impact translates into nearly 23,000 high-wage jobs," Von Nessen said. "The Port is helping to expand the local manufacturing base into a sizable industry footprint, which will generate higher and more stable rates of economic growth in the region in the long-run."
Statewide, the Port is responsible for 187,200 jobs and $53 billion in annual economic impact, representing nearly 10 percent of total gross state product.
View the full summary of Pee Dee and statewide economic impact information here.
About South Carolina Ports Authority
South Carolina Ports Authority (SPCA), established by the state's General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport facilities in Charleston, Georgetown and Greer, handling international commerce valued at more than $63 billion annually while receiving no direct taxpayer subsidy. An economic development engine for the state, Port operations facilitate 187,200 statewide jobs and generate nearly $53 billion annual economic activity. Home to the Southeast's deepest port, SCPA is the industry leader in delivering speed-to-market, seamless processes and flexibility to ensure reliable operations, big ship handling, efficient market reach and environmental responsibility. For more information on SCPA, please visit https://scspa.com/.