Charleston, SC - The Port of Charleston ranks first in customer satisfaction across North America, according to the readers of World Trade magazine.
In a survey reported in the publication's October edition, Charleston had the highest percentage of respondents saying that they were "very satisfied" with the port.
The magazine for supply chain decision makers asked over 5,000 subscribers how ports figure into their transportation strategies.
Of the respondents using the Port of Charleston, an impressive 46% gave the port the highest mark possible. In the "very satisfied" category, Charleston edged out Montreal by eight points, Seattle by 11, and Norfolk by 13.
"It's an honor, a privilege and a huge responsibility to be recognized as the one of the world's leading ports," said Bernard S. Groseclose Jr., president & CEO of the South Carolina State Ports Authority. "This ranking shows the confidence our customers have in us. Everyday, the Charleston waterfront works hard to earn it - the truckers, stevedores, labor, the brokers and forwarders, everyone."
The World Trade "Reader-to-Reader Report" also found that importers and exporters are becoming more selective, with more than 60% changing ports either last year or this year. Nearly 70% cited the primary reason was to avoid port congestion.
"Charleston has improved utilization and productivity in the face of growing volume," said Groseclose. "To reach new productivity highs in the face of record volume is no easy task, but Charleston has the team for the job." Charleston's vessel productivity in the first quarter topped 41 moves per crane per hour.
Charleston's antidote for congestion has been constant productivity improvement through new equipment, technology and effective management.