Saudi Carrier Adds Charleston Call

The National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia will add its inaugural call at the Port of Charleston to its North America service during the week of March 30, the South Carolina State Port Authority said today.

The NSCSA service handles a combination of traditional breakbulk, roll-on, roll-off and containerized cargo on a 21-day rotation.

The North America service connects Charleston to the ports of Suez in Egypt, Jeddah, Jubail and Dammam in Saudi Arabia; Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates; Mumbai, India; Port Qasim, Pakistan and Livorno, Italy.

Carolina Shipping will serve as the local agent for NSCSA.

Ray Jozwiak, NSCSA market analyst, said the new service at Chareston will initially be driven by breakbulk outbound and containers inbound as it works to add more freight.

John F. Hassell III, interim president and CEO of the SCSPA, praised the collaborative effort of both the public and private sector in winning the business.

Involved in bringing the carrier to Charleston were Carolina Shipping, Dockside Logistics, Charleston Heavy Lift, SSA Cooper, South Carolina Public Railways, Class 1 railroads Norfolk Southern and CSX, several local truckers and others.