Port of Charleston 2010 container volume tops 17pc

THE Port of Charleston ended the year with a 17 per cent increase in container volume of 793,090 TEU year on year following its 12th month of consecutive growth in December at 62,405 TEU announced the South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA).


During 2010, Charleston and Georgetown breakbulk tonnage increased by 27 per cent year-on-year with 876,852 tonnes handled at the two ports in 2010.


"While we have tempered expectations on near-term volume growth, South Carolina's ports are positioned to continue the upward trend in 2011," said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of SCSPA in a statement.


The new shipping services began in Charleston, MSC's Golden Gate Service, CSAV's AMEX service, Hoegh Autoliners' Middle East service, a new breakbulk service with Liberty Global Logistics, and a number of specific cargo development initiatives are driving volumes, said the port authority.


Following a year-long pilot scheme the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has increased gross vehicle weight to 100,000 pounds for international shipping containers particularly key to refrigerated cargo business.


In December alone, the port handled 35 calls from megaships of 8,000-TEU capacity or greater and with half of global capacity in the post-panamax class Charleston expects to handle more.


Mr Newsome is campaigning to fund deepening of its 45 feet harbour channel, which can accommodate ships laden up to 10,000 TEU, to a further five feet ahead of the opening of the expanded Panama Canal.


Streamlining of port operations in a single-gate system will enhance operations by extending gate hours and access to the port authority's information systems while boosting capacity by 10 per cent, added the statement.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)