Traffic Up Year-Over-Year, Investments Planned at Port of Charleston

May container volume at the Port of Charleston, South Carolina, rose more than 22% over the 2009 level, with 68,238 pier containers handled. This was even with the traffic seen in April.

After several strong months, the port is on track to meet its container volume budget in the current fiscal year, which ends June 30.

Looking to the future, the South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA) board has approved its budget for the coming fiscal year, including terminal upgrades and projections for a 7% increase in container volume.

In the year starting July 1, the SCSPA plans to invest $77 million in terminal improvements, equipment upgrades, and new information systems. The largest area of spending is at existing facilities, totaling $35 million. More than $16 million is slated for construction of a new 286-acre container terminal at the former Navy base.

“These investments strengthen South Carolina’s ability to serve our clients’ growth, which will be driven by the deepest channels in the Southeast and this state’s pro-business climate,” said Bill Stern, chairman of the SCSPA board.

Beyond the projected increase in container volume in fiscal 2011, non-container and breakbulk cargo handled at South Carolina’s public port facilities in Charleston and Georgetown are expected to climb 53%.(source: JOCsailings)

Back to archive