The container volume handled by the Port of Charleston increased 5.7 percent in March from a year earlier even though volume growth slowed from the 7 percent pace recorded in February , Journal of Commerce reports .
March container throughput increased by 10.3 percent over February as Charleston's terminals handled 120,265 20-foot-equivalent units in March, compared to 108,994 TEUs in February.
In the first three quarters of the port's fiscal year ending June 30, container traffic increased 11.6 percent to 1,033,062 TEUs, up from 925,837 TEUs in the same period last year. In the nine-month period through March the state's breakbulk tonnage increased 48 percent, even as the pace of volume gains slowed
"While the rate of growth is slowing from last year's initial volume recovery, we are still moving in the right direction," said Jim Newsome, president & CEO of the South Carolina State Ports Authority. "New distribution and manufacturing investments in the state and across the region, as well as export strength, will be felt in the coming months."
Vessel calls were also up for the nine-month period, rising 11 percent to 1,271 ships.
At the Ports of Charleston and Georgetown, breakbulk cargo, including automobiles, project cargo, heavy lift shipments, were up 48 percent to 754,000 tons from 511,000 tons in the first three quarters of 2011. A $21-million investment at Charleston's Columbus Street Terminal is increasing the port's breakbulk cargo-handling capacity.
At its regularly monthly meeting Thursday, the SCSPA Board approved engineering services related to the relocation, realignment and removal of container cranes at Columbus Street and Wando Welch terminals. Shaw GBB will perform the services at a cost of $277,518.
The entire project, estimated at nearly $5 million, is driven by increasing arrivals of ships too large for the existing Panama Canal. Every week, Charleston receives four post-Panamax ships actually drafting up to 48 feet that come to the port from Asia through the Panama Canal.
The SCSPA Board also approved security, entrance and roadway improvements at Veterans Terminal at a cost of $522,000. The project will be covered primarily by federal port security grant funding.
March container throughput increased by 10.3 percent over February as Charleston's terminals handled 120,265 20-foot-equivalent units in March, compared to 108,994 TEUs in February.
In the first three quarters of the port's fiscal year ending June 30, container traffic increased 11.6 percent to 1,033,062 TEUs, up from 925,837 TEUs in the same period last year. In the nine-month period through March the state's breakbulk tonnage increased 48 percent, even as the pace of volume gains slowed
"While the rate of growth is slowing from last year's initial volume recovery, we are still moving in the right direction," said Jim Newsome, president & CEO of the South Carolina State Ports Authority. "New distribution and manufacturing investments in the state and across the region, as well as export strength, will be felt in the coming months."
Vessel calls were also up for the nine-month period, rising 11 percent to 1,271 ships.
At the Ports of Charleston and Georgetown, breakbulk cargo, including automobiles, project cargo, heavy lift shipments, were up 48 percent to 754,000 tons from 511,000 tons in the first three quarters of 2011. A $21-million investment at Charleston's Columbus Street Terminal is increasing the port's breakbulk cargo-handling capacity.
At its regularly monthly meeting Thursday, the SCSPA Board approved engineering services related to the relocation, realignment and removal of container cranes at Columbus Street and Wando Welch terminals. Shaw GBB will perform the services at a cost of $277,518.
The entire project, estimated at nearly $5 million, is driven by increasing arrivals of ships too large for the existing Panama Canal. Every week, Charleston receives four post-Panamax ships actually drafting up to 48 feet that come to the port from Asia through the Panama Canal.
The SCSPA Board also approved security, entrance and roadway improvements at Veterans Terminal at a cost of $522,000. The project will be covered primarily by federal port security grant funding.