September 15 - The South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) has pledged to sustain above-market container volume growth, achieve the deepest harbour on the East Coast, invest in infrastructure and expand its cargo base as part of its five-year initiatives.
The SCPA reported almost a 15 percent year-on-year increase in container volumes in the 2015 fiscal year, while breakbulk volumes at Charleston grew 7 percent over planned volumes, with 900,000 tonnes moves.
In the State of the Port address, SCPA president and ceo Jim Newsome announced the port authority's plan to build upon this success, by deepening the Charleston harbour in order to cater for larger vessels.
Yesterday, September 14, the Charleston harbour deepening project received its Chief's Report from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, delivering final approval for the progression of the construction project, which Newsome described as "tremendous news" for the SCPA.
In addition to the completion of the harbour dredging, other investments in South Carolina include construction progress on the Navy Base Terminal and the Wando Welch Terminal wharf strengthening project.
"In order to expand our cargo base, the port must continue intensive efforts to connect the dots between major economic development opportunities, our capable harbour, and the necessary infrastructure to serve growing markets," said Newsome.
"Our inland port in Greer is a great example of this. The facility saw tremendous success in its first full fiscal year of operation and will likely be expanded in the 2017 fiscal year, and I envisage opportunities to consider additional inland port locations in the future."
