Tonnage in the Port of Georgetown more than tripled year-over-year. Georgetown handled 48,807 tonnes last month, a significant climb over 13,512 tonnes in October 2010. Volume in FY12 grew more than four-fold in Georgetown.
Container volume was off six percent last month on a slower peak season for containerised goods. The Port of Charleston handled 113,650 TEU in October, down from 121,229 TEU in 2010. September’s container volume increase of nearly 18% was more an outlier than an indicator of an upward trend.
“While some lingering questions remain about economic strength in the near term, our ports’ fundamentals and prospects for growth are very strong,” said South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) President and CEO Jim Newsome, referring to enhanced facilities, inland infrastructure and expanding non-container business segments, which are often the building blocks of future cargo growth. The SCPA is implementing a 10-year, USD1.3 billion capital plan for new and existing facilities to support future business demand.
At its November meeting, the SCPA Board approved projects totaling USD 988,000 in equipment and infrastructure upgrades, including four container handlers for the Wando Welch Terminal as well as improved rail leads serving Veterans Terminal.
The Board also signed off on two economic development agreements related to South Carolina’s growing tire industry. Last month, Continental Tire announced plans for a new, USD500 million plant in Sumter, South Carolina that will employ up to 1,700 workers. Bridgestone Corporation recently broke ground on its 1.5 million square foot manufacturing plant in Aiken. The USD1.2 billion investment is expected to create 850 new jobs.