Announcements Archives - Page 4 of 51

SC Ports Reports Record April for Container Volumes, Inland Port

CHARLESTON, SC - May 17, 2017 - Today South Carolina Ports Authority reported 10 percent fiscal year-to-date growth of twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) handled through April at its two container terminals.

As previously announced, SCPA has moved 1.8 million TEUs since the 2017 fiscal year began last July. The Port achieved the strongest April on record, with 189,315 TEUs handled last month, and exceeded April 2016 volumes by 20 percent. It was the second-highest single month in SCPA history, slightly behind the record 192,411 TEUs set in March.

Pier container, or box volume, is up 10 percent fiscal year to date. The Port handled 107,340 containers in April.

SCPA's non-containerized cargo volumes in Charleston through April are 6 percent ahead of plan, totaling 689,220 breakbulk tons since June. The Port handled 54,426 tons last month.

Inland Port Greer rail moves were the strongest April on record, with 11,125 rail moves last month. Greer has experienced tremendous growth this fiscal year, with 95,999 rail moves to date.

"A record-breaking April in our container business segment as well as at Inland Port Greer is great news for the Port," said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO. "Our growth is broad-based with a good import-export balance, and while we expect to see container trade growth moderate over the foreseeable future, the Port is well-positioned to surpass our volume goals this fiscal year."

Board Action

The Board adopted a resolution authorizing the development of a new SCPA headquarters building on the site of the Wando Welch Terminal in Mt. Pleasant. The new building is expected to open in November 2018.

Successful maiden call of COSCO Development

On Saturday SCPA welcomed the maiden call of the COSCO Development, the largest vessel ever to call the U.S. East Coast. The Port completed 2,910 crane moves on the vessel, the second-highest number of moves in SCPA history, before it sailed on Sunday evening.

"The arrival of the COSCO Development at East Coast ports was a milestone in our industry, and a reflection of the importance of our efforts to be big ship ready," Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO. "Our port and maritime community handled the maiden voyage of the COSCO Development with ease, and we look forward to efficiently handling many more vessels of the same size in the future."

Also Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO congratulated Pamela Lackey, President of AT&T South Carolina. She was named the first female Chairman of SC Ports.

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, including career opportunities at all SCPA facilities, please visit www.scspa.com.

SC Ports Welcomes Biggest Ship Ever to Call East Coast

CHARLESTON, SC - May 13, 2017 - On the heels of record-breaking container volumes in March and April, today South Carolina Ports Authority celebrated another milestone with the arrival of the biggest container ship ever to call the US East Coast.

"The deployment of 13,000 twenty-foot equivalent (TEU) vessels to East Coast ports marks a new era in the global container shipping industry," said SCPA president and CEO Jim Newsome. "The importance of our port and state's investments in terminal and infrastructure improvements, additional capacity for volume growth and a deeper harbor are evident with the arrival of the COSCO Development. It is a truly exciting day to see our new super post-Panamax cranes working a ship of this size, and we are proud to be the last Southeast port of call."

SCPA is expected to move approximately 3,300 containers on and off the COSCO Development, setting a new record for crane moves handled by the Port.

"Our ports are one of the most integral pieces to South Carolina's economic engine that continues to grow every day, and the COSCO Development's arrival at the Port of Charleston is a symbol of our state's competitiveness in the global marketplace," said South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster. "We will continue to work with everything we have to make sure our harbor is deepened to 52 feet to further allow big ships to call Charleston, which will take our state to a level of prosperity we have never seen."

The COSCO Development, a 1,200 feet long and 158 feet wide vessel transporting up to 13,092 TEUs, is deployed on the weekly OCEAN Alliance South Atlantic Express (SAX) service connecting Charleston with Hong Kong, Yantian, Ningbo and Shanghai via the Panama Canal. Today 18 of SCPA's 24 weekly container vessel services are comprised of ships too large to transit the Panama Canal prior to its expansion.

"We have worked hard to ensure the South Carolina Ports Authority remains a competitive, top 10 U.S. container port," said Senator Larry Grooms, Chairman of the Review and Oversight Commission on the State Ports Authority. "It is exciting to see Charleston as the last port of call for the largest ship ever to visit the East Coast, and there is no doubt that today is the first of many significant milestones ahead for our port system."

Further supporting the Port's ability to handle 13,000-14,000 TEU vessels are the Charleston Harbor Deepening project to 52 feet, scheduled to begin this fall; the completion of a wharf strengthening project at the Wando Welch Terminal in conjunction with investments in bigger cranes; and the construction of the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal.

Media note: The Port's image gallery has high resolution photos of the COSCO Development's arrival available for download. Video of the vessel transiting the harbor available here.

SC Ports Announces Strongest April on Record for Container Cargo

CHARLESTON, SC - May 8, 2017 - Today South Carolina Ports Authority announced its strongest April container volumes on record, with 189,315 twenty foot-equivalent units (TEUs) handled last month.
In addition to being the strongest April in SCPA history, last month's volumes were the second-highest ever handled by the Port. Nearly 1.8 million TEUs have moved across the docks of SCPA's two container terminals since the 2017 fiscal year began last July, pushing fiscal year-to-date volume 10.2 percent higher than the same period last year.

"The strength of April volumes on the heels of our all-time highest month in March puts SCPA in a good position to meet or exceed our planned fiscal year container volume increase of six percent," said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO. "We're seeing broad-based growth with a healthy balance of imports and exports, and it is clear that our cargo development efforts are paying off as we continue handling more volume than ever before. We are excited to welcome the COSCO Development this weekend, the first 13,000 TEU vessel to call Charleston."

As measured in pier containers, or boxes handled, SCPA moved 107,340 containers in April. The Port has handled 1 million containers since July, a growth of 10.3 percent over the same fiscal period last year.

Fiscal year-to-date tonnage of noncontainerized cargo in Charleston reached 689,220 tons in April, with 54,426 breakbulk tons moved last month. SCPA's breakbulk business segment is 6.3 percent ahead of planned fiscal year volumes through April.

Inland Port Greer experienced its highest April in the facility's history, with 11,125 rail moves last month. Greer has seen tremendous growth of 27.6 percent this fiscal year, with 95,999 rail moves handled to date.

SC Ports Fiscal Year Container Volume Climbs Nine Percent

CHARLESTON, SC - April 19, 2017 - South Carolina Ports Authority completed the third quarter of its fiscal year with nine percent year-over-year growth of twenty foot-equivalent units (TEUs) and record-breaking March volumes.

As previously announced, SCPA has handled 1.58 million TEUs since July, compared to 1.45 million during the same period last fiscal year. March was the strongest month in the Port's history, with 192,411 TEUs handled during the month.

From a calendar year perspective, SCPA's first quarter TEU volume exceeded the same period last year by 16.8 percent. The Port has handled 553,248 TEUs since January.

Pier container volume reached an all-time high in March, with 108,961 boxes moving across Charleston docks. The month was 13.4 percent higher than March 2016 and surpassed the Port's previous pier container volume record of 104,792 boxes set in January. Fiscal year to date, SCPA has handled nearly 900,000 pier containers.

In non-containerized cargo, SCPA handled 82,550 pier tons in March. Charleston breakbulk volume is 8.7 percent ahead of fiscal year plans, reaching 634,794 tons since July.

SCPA's strong container volume boosted Inland Port Greer's March results to a record-breaking 11,669 lifts. The month was 22 percent higher than the previous record of 9,593 lifts in January 2017. Fiscal year to date, Greer has handled 84,874 lifts.

"With the highest container volume ever handled by our port and record rail moves at Inland Port Greer, March was an exceptionally strong finish to the third quarter," said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO. "We're seeing healthy growth of both import and export cargo and are on target for achieving our planned container volume growth of six percent this fiscal year. Over the next quarter, we will be monitoring the impacts of the mega-alliances and look forward to handling our first 13,000 TEU vessel, the COSCO Development, on May 13."

Charleston Prepares for 13,000 TEU Ship
SCPA announced last week that it will welcome the biggest ship ever to call the U.S. East Coast in May. The COSCO Development, a 13,092 TEU vessel, is deployed on the weekly OCEAN Alliance South Atlantic Express (SAX) service that connects Charleston with Hong Kong, Yantian, Ningbo and Shanghai via the Panama Canal. The COSCO Development is one of 11 ships on the SAX service, comprised of vessels ranging in size from 11,000 to 13,000 TEUs. Today 18 of SCPA's 24 weekly container vessel services are comprised of ships too large to transit the Panama Canal prior to its expansion.

Wide and deep channels, ample terminal capacity and super post-Panamax cranes allow Charleston to be the last East Coast port of call for the COSCO Development. Track the progress of the vessel to Charleston at www.scspa.com/big-ship-ready.

Harbor, Infrastructure Position SC Ports as Last Call for Biggest Ship Ever to Visit East Coast

CHARLESTON, SC - April 11, 2017 -?Wide, deep channels and big-ship infrastructure will earn South Carolina Ports Authority the desired position as last port of call when the biggest ship ever to call the US East Coast, the COSCO Development, arrives in May.

"SCPA has worked aggressively for years to ensure we can efficiently work 13,000 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) vessels and be the last Southeast port of call with no navigational issues," said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO. "Our naturally wide and deepwater harbor, soon to be the deepest on the entire East Coast at 52 feet, can handle vessels the COSCO Development's size loaded heavy with cargo. Coupled with our landside capacity and infrastructure, including new super post-Panamax cranes, we offer our export customers the opportunity to load their goods in Charleston before the vessel departs for its return to Asia. We also offer excellent transit times for import cargo bound for consumer markets across the Southeast. It's ironic to say, but this is a case in which we've worked very hard to be last."

The ship, which measures 1,200 feet long and 158 feet wide, can transport up to 13,092 TEUs. It is deployed on the weekly OCEAN Alliance South Atlantic Express (SAX) service connecting Charleston with Hong Kong, Yantian, Ningbo and Shanghai via the Panama Canal. The SAX service is comprised of 11 vessels ranging in size from 11,000 to 13,000 TEUs.

Today 18 of SCPA's 24 weekly container vessel services are comprised of ships too large to transit the Panama Canal prior to its expansion.

"The arrival of the COSCO Development at East Coast ports marks a new era," Newsome said. "Seeing a 13,000 TEU vessel in our harbor is a tangible reflection that our vision and capital investments to be big-ship ready are absolutely critical."

The COSCO Development's visit is the first of many milestones ahead for SCPA. This fall, dredges in the Charleston Harbor will mark the beginning of the construction phase of the Harbor Deepening Project. Within the next year, a $44 million project to modernize and strengthen the wharf at SCPA's Wando Welch Terminal will be completed and two new ZPMC super post-Panamax cranes will be delivered from China, complementing the two cranes of this size already in operation.

The ship is currently scheduled to arrive in Charleston on May 13. To track the vessel real-time as it sails to the Panama Canal and ultimately to Charleston, visit?www.scspa.com/big-ship-ready.

SC Ports Achieves Record Container Volume in March

CHARLESTON, SC - April 10, 2017 - Today South Carolina Ports Authority announced the strongest monthly container volume in its history, with 192,411 twenty foot-equivalent units (TEUs) handled in March.

The month was nearly 13 percent higher than March 2016 and surpassed SCPA's previous record, set in January 2017, by more than 7,000 TEUs. Fiscal year to date, the Port has handled 1.58 million TEUs.

"The record volumes achieved by SCPA in March result from our broad-based efforts to increase our cargo base by providing good service to clients and enhancing our service offering," said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO. "We are excited about the further deployment of large container ships, including the first 13,000 TEU container ship in May."

As measured in pier containers, or boxes handled, SCPA moved a record 108,961 containers across the docks of its two container terminals in March. The Port has handled 892,892 pier containers since July, a growth of 9 percent over the same fiscal period last year.

SC Ports Announces Retirement of Finance Executive Peter Hughes

CHARLESTON, SC - April 4, 2017 - Today South Carolina Ports Authority announced the retirement of Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration (SVP)/Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Peter Hughes, effective at the end of the 2017 fiscal year. Stan Van Ostran, former Vice President and CFO of Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA), has been selected as Hughes' replacement and will assume the position on July 1.

"Peter's contributions to SCPA during his long career here, and particularly on our senior management team, are too numerous to name," said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO. "His considerable knowledge, competence, integrity and logical thinking have been a great asset. He has been an indispensable resource for me personally in my seven years at the Port, and I speak for many when I say that I admire his substantial accomplishments as the head of our finance and administration departments."

Hughes is a 34-year veteran of SCPA. Promoted to CFO in 1996 and Senior Vice President in 2010, Hughes is responsible for all financial, procurement, risk management, real estate and administrative functions of the Port. He will continue to work for SCPA in a project-based consulting capacity, focusing on SCPA's new main office construction, the sale of non-port-operated real estate, completion of the FY2017 financials and general support for the new CFO.

"Hughes notified me last October of his plans to retire, enabling the Port to prepare for this transition appropriately and find the best fit for the position," Newsome said.

SCPA selected Stan Van Ostran, an attorney and CPA with 35 years of progressive finance experience, to join the Port on May 1. In his previous position as VP and CFO for MNAA, Van Ostran managed all fiscal activities of a $120 million budget and directed more than $1.5 billion of bond issues. He also has substantial experience with the oversight of procurement programs with large annual spends and risk management, and served as the comptroller for the Oklahoma Lottery Commission for three years prior to MNAA. Preceding to the Lottery Commission, he oversaw the finance and information technology functions of the Oklahoma Department of Central Services. Van Ostran will officially assume the SVP/CFO role on July 1, the beginning of the 2018 fiscal year.

"I'm excited to welcome Stan Van Ostran to our senior management team," Newsome said. "He is an experienced CFO, and his expertise in the financial management role makes him a valuable addition to the Port. The financial health of our organization is critical to meeting the demands of our capital plan and ensuring the Port remains competitive for years to come."

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, including career opportunities at all SCPA facilities, please visit www.scspa.com.

SC Ports Container Volume Up Nine Percent

CHARLESTON, SC - March 15, 2017 - Today South Carolina Ports Authority reported nearly nine percent fiscal year-over-year container volume growth through February.

SCPA's total fiscal year-to-date container volume reached nearly 1.4 million TEUs last month, compared to 1.3 million TEUs handled during the same period last year. SCPA handled 175,820 twenty foot-equivalent units (TEUs) in February, an increase of 11.3 percent over February 2016.

Last month was the best February on record for pier container volume, or boxes handled. SCPA moved 98,259 containers across its docks in February, bringing fiscal year-to-date pier container volume to 783,931 containers.

"Last month's volumes reflect strong growth over last year, and we handled the highest pier container volume ever during a February," said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO. "Looking ahead, spring is traditionally a busy season for us, but volumes may be inconsistent due to the implementation of new shipping alliances."

Non-containerized cargo volumes were strong last month, with 72,670 pier tons handled in Charleston. Total fiscal year-to-date breakbulk volume is 6.4 percent percent ahead of plan, with 552,244 pier tons handled during the period.

Inland Port Greer handled 9,540 rail moves in February, driving the facility's fiscal year-to-date rail volume 25.8 percent higher than the same period last year. Inland Port Greer has handled 73,205 rail moves since July.

Inland Port Dillon
SCPA broke ground on its newest facility in Dillon, South Carolina last Friday. Nearly 200 elected officials, business partners and customers attended the event to celebrate the significance of the project to the state's infrastructure and economic development efforts.

"The construction of a second SCPA inland port in Dillon is possible because of the convergence of several critical components," Newsome said. "A cargo base in the area to serve as an anchor customer; an existing Class One Railroad; a willing community to support the project locally; and a dedicated team within the Port to move the project forward. Inland Port Greer surpassed our five-year volume projections in less than three years, and we look forward to similar success in Dillon."

Offering overnight access to and from the Port of Charleston via a CSX mainline, Inland Port Dillon will offer port users close proximity to markets along the I-95 corridor and enhanced rail access to customers throughout the Carolinas and into the Northeast and Midwest.

The first phase of the project will open during the first quarter of 2018 and is expected to handle at least 45,000 containers annually.

SC Ports Breaks Ground on Inland Port Dillon

DILLON, SC - March 10, 2017 - Today officials broke ground on the site of Inland Port Dillon, a South Carolina Ports Authority facility slated to open in early 2018 to support growing intermodal cargo volumes between the Port of Charleston and markets throughout the Carolinas, Northeast and Midwest.

"Inland Port Dillon will diversify SCPA's footprint and enable port users to gain logistics efficiencies through rail transportation of their cargo," said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO. "Inland ports provide infrastructure in the interior of the state that supports the movement of freight to and from our marine terminals. Our facilities in Dillon and Greer are important to SCPA's overall volume growth and the significant amount of cargo that moves today by rail."

International intermodal rail lifts have increased 170 percent since 2011, with 23 percent of the Port of Charleston's containerized import and export volume moving by rail. Growth in the intermodal sector has driven tremendous success of Inland Port Greer, which handled a record 103,639 rail lifts last year.

"This is a significant project for SCPA and our entire state," said SCPA Board Chairman Pat McKinney. "Inland Port Dillon complements the Port's infrastructure investments in Charleston and will no doubt spur economic development activity both in the Pee Dee area and the surrounding region. Port-related jobs pay 40 percent higher than the state's average wage, and it is an exciting day to bring such opportunities to Dillon County."

"Our ports are a tremendously important part of South Carolina's growing economic engine, and Inland Port Dillon will play a crucial role in helping our companies move goods more efficiently than ever before," said South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster. "This new facility will mean even more jobs and industry, and help take our state straight to the top."

Located within the Carolinas I-95 Mega Site, Inland Port Dillon has close proximity to I-95, a critical transportation artery in the Southeast. The area is central to a significant base of existing Port users that represent base cargo opportunities for the facility. The initial phase is expected to handle at least 45,000 containers annually, offering overnight access to and from Charleston via an existing CSX mainline.

"We congratulate Inland Port Dillon on this groundbreaking, which is the beginning stage of building a competitive advantage for area businesses by lowering transportation costs and providing greater access to domestic and international markets," said Dean Piacente, CSX Vice President, Intermodal. "This new facility will build on the state of South Carolina's already strong freight rail network, supporting continued business growth and job creation."

SCPA first announced consideration of a constructing an inland port in Dillon in April of 2016. To date, SCPA has completed the initial design phase, permitting and equipment requisition process for the facility and will soon award contracts to begin construction of the terminal.

"The fruition of the Inland Port in Dillon County culminates a long process from a dedicated team and partnership in which Marlboro Electric Cooperative remains ecstatic to be a part of," said Bo McInnis, MEC Chairman. "The Port's leadership team is already providing tremendous value today, and the future for our entire region just got a lot brighter."

Comments from South Carolina leaders:
"I've worked very hard at the federal level and with the South Carolina Ports Authority to advance the Dillon Inland Port project. This facility will bring industrial diversity and high-paying jobs to Marion, Dillon, and Marlboro counties, resulting in a huge economic impact to a much-needed area." -
Congressman Tom Rice

"Today's groundbreaking is another step forward in ensuring the Port of Charleston is the preferred port on the East Coast. The positive ripple effects on businesses as a result of an inland port in Dillon will drive economic growth around the region. I look forward to seeing the facility, in conjunction with the inland port in Greer, strengthen our Port's competitiveness and improve logistics for South Carolina companies." - South Carolina Senator Hugh K. Leatherman, Sr., President Pro Tempore and Executive Committee, North Eastern Strategic Alliance (NESA)

"The opportunity for job creation and economic growth driven by this facility in our region cannot be overstated. This is an extremely significant day for residents of Dillon and surrounding areas, and I applaud the Ports Authority and its many partners for making this a reality." - South Carolina Senator Kent Williams

"Today's Inland Port Dillon groundbreaking is an important development for our region and the state. Providing increased inland infrastructure will create industry growth and provide job opportunities that will benefit our area and the entire state." - South Carolina Representative Jackie E. "Coach" Hayes

Container Volume Up 8 Percent at SC Ports

COLUMBIA, SC - February 15, 2017 - Today the South Carolina Ports Authority reported an 8 percent increase in container volume since its fiscal year began in July.

As previously reported, SCPA handled an all-time record container volume in January, with 185,018 TEUs moved last month, a year-over-year increase of nearly 28 percent. Fiscal year-to-date volumes reached 1,214,468 TEUs moved at its North Charleston and Wando Welch container terminals.

In pier container volume, or boxes handled, the SCPA moved 104,792 boxes last month, surpassing the previous record of 104,003 containers handled in May 2015. Container volume is up 28 percent compared to the same month last year.

"The Port handled an all-time record container volume in January, which is traditionally one of our slower months," said Jim Newsome, SCPA President and CEO. "It's a testament to our team that we are able to handle the increasing container volume while also sustaining our high level of efficiency and reliability. We will watch our volume development closely over the last part of our fiscal year as the new mega-alliances launch their new deployments."

Port of Charleston handled 57,453 pier tons in January, pushing fiscal year-to-date volume to 479,573 pier tons moved across SCPA docks. Charleston exceeded fiscal year -to-date plans last month by nearly 6 percent.

Rail moves at Inland Port Greer continued to be strong, with 9,593 moves last month. With 63,665 rail lifts since July, the facility's rail volume is up 28 percent over the same period last year.

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