Charleston, SC - July 7, 2016 - The Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC) recently named Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO, the first Person of the Year award recipient in the Coalition's 28-year history.
"Never has an individual so distinguished himself in a manner that will have such a positive impact on all participants in ocean shipping, shippers, carriers, ports and terminals," said Peter Friedmann, Executive Director, AgTC. "We applaud Jim Newsome for his pivotal, groundbreaking leadership to find a solution to the SOLAS container weight threat."
Newsome received the award at the AgTC Annual Meeting, a gathering of agriculture and forest products transportation professionals, for pioneering a solution to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requirements by using existing equipment and procedures at SCPA to verify the weight of containers.
"It is a great honor to receive this award from such an important group of U.S. exporters," Newsome said.
Newsome was the first leader in the United States to step forward with a solution to the SOLAS requirements that were implemented on July 1, 2016.
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Peter Friedmann (left) announces Jim Newsome as the AgTC Person of the Year.
About South Carolina Ports Authority
South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA), established by the state's General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport facilities in Charleston, Georgetown and Greer. In 2015 SCPA handled international commerce valued at more than $74 billion 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 www.scspa.com.