Container volume at the Port of Charleston increased 26 percent in July over the same month last year, giving the port its strongest month since October 2008.
Container volume in July totaled 73,818 pier containers, up 26 percent from 58,603 pier containers in July 2009, the South Carolina State Ports Authority said Tuesday.
Although this was the fifth month of double-digit growth, SCSPA officials cast doubt on the strength of the recovery. “It is unclear if the national and global economy is truly on the rebound and can be sustained, or if recent increases are more of a reflection of inventory restocking and other short-term drivers,” the port authority said.
At the same time, the port authority also approved $26 million in projects at the port, most of it designated for a $20.6 million plan to maintain and improve its Columbus Street Terminal.
The SCSPA also reported final results for the fiscal year that ended June 30, saying it has positive earnings “despite the toughest economy in recent history. During fiscal 2010, the SCSPA surpassed its volume budget, the port authority said, thanks to a strong last half of the year when container traffic increased 19 percent.
The projects the SCSPA board awarded Tuesday included:
• Raising and paving the Columbus Street Terminal, a $20.57-million construction project to raise and pave 54 acres at Columbus Street Terminal to correct subsurface settling. The work will raise the acreage approximately one foot, with a 12-year life expectancy of the work.
• North Charleston Terminal Paving – A $1.59-million project to raise and repair seven acres in an area serving Evergreen at North Charleston Terminal.
• Gate Modifications – A project for improvements to interchange lanes and supporting gate infrastructure at the Wando Welch and North Charleston Terminals for implementation of a common gate structure. The work from various vendors, is not to exceed $3.2 million.
• Drum Island Soil Testing for Marsh Restoration – An amendment for soil testing on the south end of Drum Island. As part of the mitigation package for the Navy Base Terminal, the SCSPA committed to recreate 22 acres of intertidal marsh on the site. Newkirk Environmental will perform additional soil testing before proceeding with construction. The project amendment is estimated at $224,625.
• Security Monitoring – A federally-funded $500,000-project dealing with the port’s surveillance systems and the central monitoring command and control facility.
Container volume in July totaled 73,818 pier containers, up 26 percent from 58,603 pier containers in July 2009, the South Carolina State Ports Authority said Tuesday.
Although this was the fifth month of double-digit growth, SCSPA officials cast doubt on the strength of the recovery. “It is unclear if the national and global economy is truly on the rebound and can be sustained, or if recent increases are more of a reflection of inventory restocking and other short-term drivers,” the port authority said.
At the same time, the port authority also approved $26 million in projects at the port, most of it designated for a $20.6 million plan to maintain and improve its Columbus Street Terminal.
The SCSPA also reported final results for the fiscal year that ended June 30, saying it has positive earnings “despite the toughest economy in recent history. During fiscal 2010, the SCSPA surpassed its volume budget, the port authority said, thanks to a strong last half of the year when container traffic increased 19 percent.
The projects the SCSPA board awarded Tuesday included:
• Raising and paving the Columbus Street Terminal, a $20.57-million construction project to raise and pave 54 acres at Columbus Street Terminal to correct subsurface settling. The work will raise the acreage approximately one foot, with a 12-year life expectancy of the work.
• North Charleston Terminal Paving – A $1.59-million project to raise and repair seven acres in an area serving Evergreen at North Charleston Terminal.
• Gate Modifications – A project for improvements to interchange lanes and supporting gate infrastructure at the Wando Welch and North Charleston Terminals for implementation of a common gate structure. The work from various vendors, is not to exceed $3.2 million.
• Drum Island Soil Testing for Marsh Restoration – An amendment for soil testing on the south end of Drum Island. As part of the mitigation package for the Navy Base Terminal, the SCSPA committed to recreate 22 acres of intertidal marsh on the site. Newkirk Environmental will perform additional soil testing before proceeding with construction. The project amendment is estimated at $224,625.
• Security Monitoring – A federally-funded $500,000-project dealing with the port’s surveillance systems and the central monitoring command and control facility.