THE South Carolina Port Authority (SCPA) has posted increases in both containerised and breakbulk cargo at its Charleston facilities in fiscal year 2016 amid challenges in the world economy.
Charleston posts 1.4pc to 1.9 million TEU, breakbulk surpasses target THE South Carolina Port Authority (SCPA) has posted increases in both containerised and breakbulk cargo at its Charleston facilities in fiscal year 2016 amid challenges in the world economy. That what port authority CEO Jim Newsome said his annual State of the Port Address to the Propeller Club in Charleston. Container volume grew 1.4 per cent to 1.9 million TEU year on year, while non-container cargo at Charleston exceeded planned tonnage by 33 per cent. Continued growth of intermodal rail drove record-setting volumes at Inland Port Greer, which handled 91,698 rail moves in FY2016. "The port achieved growth of volumes and operating earnings in spite of an overall slowing of world trade," Mr Newsome said. "We also accomplished significant progress on numerous critical projects - modernisation of the Wando Welch Terminal wharf, and implementation of an advanced gate system that enables us to efficiently handle that facility's growing cargo volumes," he said. In the year ahead, Mr Newsome expects the Southeastern port market to continue to enjoy strong volume growth relative to the overall US port market, supported by foreign-direct investment in manufacturing as well as a steadily increasing consumer market. "Today 16 of 26 weekly container services calling the Port of Charleston utilise New Panamax vessels, and we expect to see others upsized in the future," Mr Newsome said. "Top 10 ports must make significant investments to prepare facilities to serve these bigger ships, including taller cranes and stronger terminal infrastructure, as well as harbour deepening projects. "We have worked diligently to ensure that the Charleston Harbour Deepening Project to 52 feet remains on track to deliver all of the capabilities needed of a modern harbour by the end of the decade," he said. SCPA owns and operates public seaport facilities in Charleston, Georgetown and Greer. In 2015 SCPA handled international commerce valued at $74 billion.
