THE South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) has approved a US$53.8 million contract with WSP Engineering to build a 1,400-foot berth at the Leatherman Terminal in preparation to dock 18,000-TEU mega ships.
Another 1,300-foot second berth should be finished in 2026 and third in 2032, capable of handling 2.1 million TEU annually, all in readiness for ships not only from Panama but giants coming from Asia via Suez, reported IHS media.
Today, the site is crushed stone across the 280-acre terminal. Five ship-to-shore cranes have been ordered and will arrive in March 2020. While these investments won't push Charleston past Savannah, shippers will have new options to consider, says the SCPA.
While the berth will be the same length as Wando Welch Terminal, said the SCPA, the new terminal can handle 18,000-TEU vessels because of a stronger fender and cranes capable of lifting 169 feet, the port authority said.
An average 18,000-TEUer measures 1,300 feet long and 194 feet wide. The 14,000-TEU Cosco Development is 1,200 feet long and 158 feet wide. So while an 18,000 TEU vessel is only 7.7 per cent longer, it's 23 per cent wider.
Said SCPA executive director Jim Newsome: 'If you want to remain a top 10 port, you need to spend to keep up with these latest shipbuilding trends. This is what will separate niche ports from top-notch locations.'
Mr Newsome said he believes a 18,000-TEUer will discharge on the east coast within two years. In 2015, CMA CGM sent the Benjamin Franklin on a promotional tour on the west coast.
He said a single 18,000-TEU string to the east coast will arrive in five years and more within a decade.
'There will be 52 slings of ships that are 14,000 TEU and above by 2020 and you only need 35 to handle the Asia-to-Europe trade,' he said.
'So there are 17 that can go elsewhere. Where is elsewhere? A large share has to be here,' he said.
SCPA vice president Barbara Melvin said: 'Charleston will be ready when those ships are regularly calling the east coast.'
Another 1,300-foot second berth should be finished in 2026 and third in 2032, capable of handling 2.1 million TEU annually, all in readiness for ships not only from Panama but giants coming from Asia via Suez, reported IHS media.
Today, the site is crushed stone across the 280-acre terminal. Five ship-to-shore cranes have been ordered and will arrive in March 2020. While these investments won't push Charleston past Savannah, shippers will have new options to consider, says the SCPA.
While the berth will be the same length as Wando Welch Terminal, said the SCPA, the new terminal can handle 18,000-TEU vessels because of a stronger fender and cranes capable of lifting 169 feet, the port authority said.
An average 18,000-TEUer measures 1,300 feet long and 194 feet wide. The 14,000-TEU Cosco Development is 1,200 feet long and 158 feet wide. So while an 18,000 TEU vessel is only 7.7 per cent longer, it's 23 per cent wider.
Said SCPA executive director Jim Newsome: 'If you want to remain a top 10 port, you need to spend to keep up with these latest shipbuilding trends. This is what will separate niche ports from top-notch locations.'
Mr Newsome said he believes a 18,000-TEUer will discharge on the east coast within two years. In 2015, CMA CGM sent the Benjamin Franklin on a promotional tour on the west coast.
He said a single 18,000-TEU string to the east coast will arrive in five years and more within a decade.
'There will be 52 slings of ships that are 14,000 TEU and above by 2020 and you only need 35 to handle the Asia-to-Europe trade,' he said.
'So there are 17 that can go elsewhere. Where is elsewhere? A large share has to be here,' he said.
SCPA vice president Barbara Melvin said: 'Charleston will be ready when those ships are regularly calling the east coast.'