THE South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) says volumes in 2012 grew across all business segments, after attracting new shipping line services, making progress on the inland port in Greer and advancing its harbour deepening programme in Charleston.
Container volume in Charleston was up 9.6 per cent with 1.5 million TEU handled at the port's two container terminals. Volume was up 13 per cent in December compared to the same month last year with 124,120 TEU crossing the docks. A statement from port authorities said Charleston was the fastest-growing US east coast container port from January through November.The port authority also intends to implement a US$1.3 billion capital plan this decade, according to SCPA president and CEO Jim Newsome.Midway through the fiscal year that began July 1, container traffic grew 12 per cent on the strength of loaded exports and the performance of new carrier services that have expanded Charleston's reach to foreign markets, such as Vietnam and Australia.
Mr Newsome said the SCPA is continuing its aggressive approach to cargo development across segments, including transloading operations of agricultural and forest products, growing refrigerated cargo and imported containers related to e-commerce retailers.
The Port of Charleston handled one million tons of non-container freight over the past 12 months, up 26 per cent from the previous year. Drivers of this growth included power-generation equipment and BMW exports at Columbus Street Terminal, as well as additional activity at Union Pier, such as steel billets, and at Veterans Terminal.
In Georgetown, activity for the calendar year was up 17 per cent, with 532,472 pier tons handled in 2012. Bulk cement, petroleum coke and steel were top performers."As we continue the momentum on our next harbour deepening project, I expect further growth from our port in exports, especially as we further develop transloading facilities and our state's intermodal rail network," Mr Newsome said.
The deepening of Charleston Harbour to 50 feet is scheduled for completion by 2019, or five years earlier than initially projected.
Container volume in Charleston was up 9.6 per cent with 1.5 million TEU handled at the port's two container terminals. Volume was up 13 per cent in December compared to the same month last year with 124,120 TEU crossing the docks. A statement from port authorities said Charleston was the fastest-growing US east coast container port from January through November.The port authority also intends to implement a US$1.3 billion capital plan this decade, according to SCPA president and CEO Jim Newsome.Midway through the fiscal year that began July 1, container traffic grew 12 per cent on the strength of loaded exports and the performance of new carrier services that have expanded Charleston's reach to foreign markets, such as Vietnam and Australia.
Mr Newsome said the SCPA is continuing its aggressive approach to cargo development across segments, including transloading operations of agricultural and forest products, growing refrigerated cargo and imported containers related to e-commerce retailers.
The Port of Charleston handled one million tons of non-container freight over the past 12 months, up 26 per cent from the previous year. Drivers of this growth included power-generation equipment and BMW exports at Columbus Street Terminal, as well as additional activity at Union Pier, such as steel billets, and at Veterans Terminal.
In Georgetown, activity for the calendar year was up 17 per cent, with 532,472 pier tons handled in 2012. Bulk cement, petroleum coke and steel were top performers."As we continue the momentum on our next harbour deepening project, I expect further growth from our port in exports, especially as we further develop transloading facilities and our state's intermodal rail network," Mr Newsome said.
The deepening of Charleston Harbour to 50 feet is scheduled for completion by 2019, or five years earlier than initially projected.