Charleston’s May volume climbs 22 per cent, 77 million US-Dollar in upgrades

Charleston’s May container volume climbed more than 22 per cent year-over-year with 68,238 pier containers handled and was even with the previous month. That followed four consecutive months of year-over-year growth.

The South Carolina State Ports Authority plans to spend more than 77 million US-Dollar on terminal upgrades and new information systems to meet projections for a seven per cent increase in container volume under the budget approved by its board of directors on Tuesday.

The largest area of spending is at existing facilities, totaling 35 million US-Dollar. More than 16 million US-Dollar is slated for construction of the new 286-acre container terminal at the former Navy Base. After several strong months in container throughput, the SCSPA said the port is now on track to meet its container volume budget in the current fiscal year, which ends June 30.

"These investments strengthen South Carolina’s ability to serve our clients’ growth, which will be driven by the deepest channels in the Southeast and this state’s pro-business climate," said Bill Stern, chairman of the SCSPA board.

Charleston today handles ships drawing up to 48 feet of water, including vessels of 8,000+ TEUs (20-foot equivalent container units). After several strong months, the Port of Charleston is now on track to meet its container volume budget in the current fiscal year, which ends June 30.

"While we still have some work to return the business levels of a few years ago, the meter has been moving in the right direction." Beyond the projected seven percent increase in container volume in fiscal 2011, non-container and breakbulk cargo handled at South Carolina’s public port facilities in Charleston and Georgetown are expected to climb 53 per cent.

Online-Redaktion, 18.06.2010