South Carolina Sees Decline in Container Traffic

The South Carolina State Ports Authority, which oversees the ports of Charleston and Georgetown, is bracing for a 6 percent decline in container traffic during the next fiscal year. Estimates are that the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, saw a decline of 19 percent, according to local news sources.

As of May 31, fiscal year operating revenues were about $16.5 million short of the budgeted amount. The port estimates revenue during the upcoming fiscal year will be $127.4 million, some $9.9 million less than what was budgeted for 2009, news sources said.

Paul McClintock, the port authority's newly hired chief commercial officer, told local news sources that he expects the port's income to exceed these budgeted numbers. To help reach that goal, South Carolina is hunting for new breakbulk cargo.

South Carolina has already seen an upswing in inbound and outbound energy-related project cargo, said spokesperson Byron Miller, and will be hiring a new breakbulk and bulk specialist. Charleston has three terminals capable of handling breakbulk, laydown area, on-dock rail and labor that can handle large project and energy moves, he said. The affiliated Port of Georgetown is also a breakbulk terminal. South Carolina is an operating port; Ports America and SSA handle breakbulk there.

McClintock is also interested in drawing poultry exports, according to local reports. He will push to increase weight limits on South Carolina roads so that they match up with limits in neighboring states, a move that could help draw more business.

Contact Janet Nodar at jcnodar@bellsouth.net.