The first two straddle carriers left Shanghai on their journey to the Stockholm Norvik Port. The straddle carriers are being transported on the deck of a cargo ship and are expected to arrive in Stockholm in January or February. “These are the first of a total of eight straddle carriers that will handle the containers at the Stockholm Norvik Port. Initially the straddle carriers will be manually operated, but within two years we anticipate that they will be completely automated,” says Johan Wallén, Marketing and Sales Manager at Ports of Stockholm. The straddle carriers, which have been constructed by the Chinese company ZPMC, are almost 16 metres high, weigh 70 tonnes and can lift “one over three” i.e., they can stack up to four containers on top of each other. The Stockholm Norvik Port will open in 2020 and will replace the current CTF container terminal at Frihamnen in Stockholm. The new container terminal will be run by Hutchison Ports, one of the world’s leading container terminal operators. During the autumn of 2020 the RoRo section of the Stockholm Norvik Port will also open. This will be run as part of Ports of Stockholm’s own business operations.

The South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA) honoured Newsome during an awards dinner recently for his “extraordinary contributions, commitment and leadership in ensuring South Carolina’s manufacturing industry remains strong for generations.”   

Recipients are chosen based on their efforts to advance the state’s manufacturing sector. Mark Propst, who recently retired after 38 years with The Timken Co., also received the award. “The manufacturing industry has a real and meaningful impact in enhancing the quality of life for all South Carolinians,” SCMA Chairman Max Metcalf said. “The Roger Milliken Defender of Manufacturing Award honours individuals whose values and commitment for excellence lead to economic success and more prosperous communities.”   

Newsome has served as CEO of S.C. Ports for the past decade. During his tenure, he has successfully pursued vital infrastructure projects, significantly grown port operations and doubled cargo volumes. He has worked to ensure the Port of Charleston remains globally competitive and a top 10 U.S. container port. “S.C. Ports offers reliable operations for companies needing to move cargo between South Carolina and global markets,” SCPA Board Chairman Bill Stern said. “The Port is a crucial asset for South Carolina as many of our state’s biggest economic development wins would not have come to fruition without the Port. Jim’s excellent leadership abilities at the Port have made a tremendous impact on South Carolina.”

The continued growth of S.C. Ports and the success of South Carolina’s advanced manufacturing sector go hand in hand. S.C.’s advanced manufacturing employment and port cargo volumes have doubled in step over the past decade, according to a new study from the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business. This signifies that there has been a virtual one-to-one relationship between the growth rate of the state’s manufacturing sector and SCPA activity, data show. S.C. Ports has expertise in moving goods for manufacturers who operate just-in-time production facilities, ensuring that companies receive the materials they need and that finished products quickly reach customers around the world.

BMW Manufacturing Co., Mercedes-Benz Vans, Volvo Cars, Michelin, Continental Tire, Bridgestone, Bosch and Timken are among the many S.C. manufacturers relying on S.C. Ports every day. “S.C. Ports is one of South Carolina’s most vital resources,” said Joey Von Nessen, the study author and research economist at USC. “S.C. Ports Authority supports manufacturers as they invest in South Carolina. This ultimately leads to new jobs and higher wages, as well as disposable income being spent in communities and the recruitment of suppliers — all of which propels S.C.’s economy forward.” S.C. Ports’ impressive growth was achieved while Newsome also focused on cultivating a great culture that values people and rewards adaptability.

“Jim has a great ability to encourage all those around him to challenge themselves to get to ‘yes’ when new opportunities arise,” S.C. Ports Authority COO Barbara Melvin said. “It is much easier to say ‘no,’ but saying ‘yes’ requires tenacity, creativity and innovation. This mindset is critical to serving the needs of the booming manufacturing sector that continually dominates South Carolina and the Southeast.”

The Most Improved Ports award is among a series of port productivity recognitions presented at the recent JOC’s annual Port Performance North America Conference. The award is based on the publication’s independent analysis of productivity among all North American ports between 2017 and 2018. JOC defines port productivity as total container moves per hour while a ship is at berth. “The hard work and dedication of our port partners, operations teams and stevedores makes this recognition possible,” said CEO JAXPORT Eric Green. “As we continue to invest in our port facilities and equipment, the efficiencies of shipping through Jacksonville continue to grow.” JAXPORT’s container operations are handled by several ocean carriers and stevedores, including: Crowley Maritime Corp. at the Talleyrand Marine Terminal; TraPac Jacksonville at the Dames Point Marine Terminal; and SSA Atlantic, Trailer Bridge, TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico, and Portus-Jacksonville at the Blount Island Marine Terminal. JAXPORT is Florida’s No. 1 container port by volume. Over its last fiscal year, JAXPORT moved more than 1.338 million TEUs, a 5 percent increase over 2018, which was also a record year in container volumes for the port. JAXPORT has set container volume records for four consecutive years.