The SC Ports Authority Board has approved a contract to perform annual berth dredging at Wando Welch Terminal and authorized the purchase of six full container handlers as part of the SCPA’s scheduled equipment replacement plan.
In other action items, the Board passed a resolution authorizing the SCPA to oversee construction of a Site Operations Center on the BMW campus in Spartanburg, SC. BMW currently leases the industrial site from the SCPA, and as the landowner SCPA will manage the construction process of the facility. The project is estimated to be completed in the first quarter of 2016.
The Board also approved the expansion of the perimeter security system at Columbus Street Terminal.
18 Percent Increase in Container Volume
The SC Ports Authority handled 152,917 twenty-foot equivalent units, or TEUs, in January, marking an 18 percent boost in container volumes over the same month last year.
“ While ship sizes grow, driving increases in the number of container moves per vessel, our port continues to work well, ” said SCPA President and CEO Jim Newsome . “ Strong terminal productivity ensures trucks can efficiently move cargo in and out of our facilities without delays.”
January container traffic pushed fiscal year to date TEU volumes past the 1 million mark, with 1,072,438 TEUs moved since the period began in July. Fiscal year to date, TEU volumes are up 14 percent year over year.
As measured in pier containers, SCPA moved 88,619 boxes in January. With 614,372 boxes handled fiscal year to date, pier container levels are up 15 percent compared to the same period last year.
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