CHARLESTON, SC - November 10, 2016 - Today South Carolina Ports Authority reported nearly two percent growth of twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) volume since its fiscal year began in July.
SCPA handled 169,477 TEUs in October, an increase from 164,734 TEUs moved during the same month last year. Fiscal year to date, SCPA's container volume reached 689,753 TEUs, a year-over-year increase of 1.73 percent.
As measured in pier containers, or total boxes moved across SCPA's docks, fiscal year-to-date volume is up by 6,227 containers. SCPA handled 95,608 pier containers in October, bringing total volume to 388,883 boxes since the fiscal year began.
"Our incremental container volume increase in October is reflective of a worldwide slowing in container trade, but we are optimistic that growth will resume in both imports and exports as the Southeast economy grows," said SCPA president and CEO Jim Newsome. "We also expect major emerging market economies to restore growth in demand based upon strength of a growing middle class."
In non-containerized cargo volume, Charleston handled 76,029 tons in October. Charleston breakbulk volume is 10.2 percent ahead of fiscal year-to-date plans, with 293,780 tons handled since July.
Inland Port Greer handled 9,211 rail moves last month. The facility's rail volume is up 25.5 percent since the fiscal year began, with 35,427 rail moves handled between July and October.
"Amid the shifting structure of the container industry, including consolidations of major carriers and an extremely difficult financial picture, SCPA is well-prepared to meet the demands that will be required of top 10 U.S. ports going forward. Bigger ships will be deployed across fewer services, and our port is making the necessary investments in cranes, terminal infrastructure and capacity, and harbor deepening to meet these requirements," Newsome said.
Board Action
In action items, the Board approved funding for the conclusion of the Advanced Gate System installation at the Wando Welch Terminal as well as total implementation the North Charleston Terminal in February 2017. The Board also approved contracts related to construction and security services for the Leatherman Terminal, installation of bracing on three ship-to-shore cranes and the purchase of an aerial lift for rubber-tired gantry crane repairs.
Crane Commissioning
Yesterday evening SCPA celebrated its two new super post-Panamax cranes with a lighting show and fireworks display on the dock of the Wando Welch Terminal. The cranes, which offer 155 feet of lift height above the dock, were produced by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co., Ltd.in China and delivered to SCPA in August.
SCPA has ordered two additional ZPMC cranes of this size for delivery by the end of 2017 and plans to raise four of its existing cranes to the same height.
"We are planning for two shipping services with 14,000 TEU vessels to call Charleston by mid-2017, which will be a game-changer for the East Coast ports," Newsome said. "By the end of next year, SCPA's $44 million wharf strengthening project to handle larger ships will be complete, and we will have eight cranes with 155 feet of lift height capable of handling two 14,000 TEU ships simultaneously."
SCPA also expects construction to begin on the first phase of its 52-foot harbor deepening project to begin by the end of next year, making Charleston the deepest harbor on the East Coast by 2020.
Above: SCPA held a celebration of its two new post-Panamax cranes with a lighting and fireworks show on the dock of its Wando Welch Terminal.
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.